Skip to main content
Tag

business systems

Dec 16
Love0

10 Ways To Stay Productive At Work Over the Holidays

By Blog, Expert Articles, Time Management No Comments

As winter vacation quickly approaches, this is our perfect opportunity to think about how others may be living it a little differently than us.

 

Usually, the holiday season is bright and sparkly, illuminated by strings of lights and Christmas cheer! There’s special baking to be done, thoughtful gifts to be wrapped, and a mantle to be decorated.

 

But for some of us – this is just an idle dream on our wish list.

 

Special occasions marked down on a calendar don’t mean the world winds down for everyone!

 

We still need our doctors and nurses, firefighters, dispatchers, news personnel and their production crews, too. Just to name a few!

 

Outside of organizations that normally run 24/7 there are still so many of us that work through the holidays to keep the world flowing (a huge thanks to you all!🤍)

 

So in order for us to soak up as many drips of the holiday season as we can get,

 

Here are 10 ways to stay productive at work over the holidays:

 

 

1. Start your work day routine earlier

 

You will actually double your productivity when you take advantage of this strategy!

 

Think about it, what would work more effectively? Sleeping from midnight to 8am, or from 10pm to 6am? The latter would give you a two-hour jump on the day. So in order to squeeze the most out of your day and be as focused as you can be, make sure you are setting boundaries around when your work day will begin and end.

 

 

2. Say “no” to people-pleasing anxiety

It’s not easy to say “no” to taking more on during the holidays. You want everyone to enjoy their time, and for work to close up as smoothly as possible.

 

But when you’ve got too much on your plate already, one must stop to think about their own needs and wants. Be polite but straightforward when declining a task or event invitation that may overload you. A great way to be courteous while turning something down is to say, “Thank you for thinking of me, but I am planning on spending that time working on X project/watching my daughter’s Christmas performance.” This conveys to the person that you’re grateful for their invitation, but that you also already have your priorities set.

 

 

3. Stay focused and productive at work

In order to keep yourself accountable for anything, you must first determine a goal to be held accountable to.

 

First of all, if you’re feeling in a slump, get your body moving to jostle your brain functions into working effectively. If you’re feeling overwhelmed this is the best technique to help you stay productive at work over the holidays. Then focus on the hardest thing first, A.K.A. your primary project. That task you most dread. Just get it out of the way or at least complete a big chunk of it right off the bat! Make sure to give yourself a realistic window of time for each thing on your to-do list and actually cut yourself off at that window.

 

 

 

4. Avoid getting distracted by thoughts

We all face distractions in the office (and our home offices). But even more so when the stresses of holidays and extended family come around!

 

To counter these distractions, remove anything that has distracted you in the past from your work area. This includes that eraser you’re always fidgeting with, your kids’ photos you reminisce with a little too long, and any loose papers that aren’t directly related to the task at hand. Put those items away in your desk for the holiday season and save them for January. Our goal is to be super productive and focused now!

 

 

 

FREE DOWNLOAD
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Release your mind clutter today!
Download "Brain Dump" Exercise

5. Taking (important!) breaks from work

It’s important to take time off from work every now and then to relax and rejuvenate. A holiday is perfect for providing this much-needed break from your work days!

 

We spend a lot of time at work… so why do we feel guilty taking time off? You certainly deserve it. Even if you’re running your own business, it’s still vital that you’re taking time for yourself. As much as it may feel like it, you’re not shirking responsibility or becoming less focused on your goals. You’re taking care of yourself so you’ll have the stamina to be your best and work effectively once the holidays are over.

 

 

 

6. Shop early to avoid the “Christmas Creep”

One of the risks of starting your shopping early is overbuying. But if you’re keeping track of your spending and who you’re buying for, this is no longer a worry.

 

Your best bet for having the most availability over Christmas is to look for sales now, shop online to avoid parking costs, and brainstorm creative ways to give the gift of experience. Gifts don’t have to cost a lot of money. You can bake a family member their favorite cookies or prepare a batch of healthy freezer-friendly snacks. You could type a list of restaurants to check out in the new year or create a “family favorites” recipe binder. Or give the gift of organizing with our Clear Out Your Clutter event in 2023! Think ahead – do you really want to sacrifice any of your enjoyment this holiday season? Instead of a cozy cup of hot chocolate while visiting with distant family, would you really rather be bustled around by a bunch of over-caffeinated shoppers? Choose to be productive now, you’ll thank yourself later.

 

 

7. Maintain your health during the holidays

Exercising is a great way to clear your mind. Not to mention the many health benefits that follow!

 

Being that we’re so busy around the holidays, meal prepping plays a huge role in our day-to-day energy! Food is quite literally our fuel, so you don’t want to be eating junk and slacking off at the gym now. The best way to combat energy fatigue is by finding ways to be active in your daily routine. You could have lunch in the park down the street, park your car further from wherever you go, and use stairs instead of an elevator.

 

 

 

8. Stop multitasking,
Learn how to prioritize and focus

A to-do list that’s way too long can leave you feeling exhausted just reading it all.

 

Instead of stressing about all the things you need to do today, prioritize just what’s important or has an immediate deadline coming up. Remember your focus is to stay productive at work over the holidays so you won’t be swamped when you return. Ask yourself, “What actually needs finishing this month?” Then get your mind focused and your hands dirty. Don’t forget to always keep your professional and personal tasks separate!

 

 

 

9. Manage interruptions from friends and family

Social media and texting are two of the largest distractions while at work.

 

Stay productive at work over the holidays by keeping your workday free from personal calls, texts, and emails. If you can’t manage this yourself, flip on the silent feature and store your personal cell in a desk drawer (lock it if you need to!). This way it’s completely out of sight and won’t be tempting you. Ask your loved ones to not call or text you during working hours unless it’s really dire.

 

 

 

10. Work Hard so you can Party Harder! 🥳

Why would we spend all of our energy working if there is no reward? We wouldn’t! This is where the “work hard, play harder” mentality is best adopted.

 

Above all the decorations and fancy dinners, the most important thing during any holiday is to make sure you’re truly enjoying quality time with your family. Let go of work when you’re not clocked in, it will all still be waiting for you whenever you head back.

 

Cherish the time you have with family, because you never know how many moments like these you will have left. 🤍

 

 

 

 

 

I hope that by following these tips you can soak up every ounce of holiday cheer!

 

It’s time to reconnect with yourself, your family, and pure JOY this year ✨ So remember to unplug, open up, and laugh until you burn enough calories for another slice of pie!

 

Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a refreshing New Year’s,

 

Sherry + The SP Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one👇🏼

Christmas Shopping: Do it in One Day!

Sep 27
Love0

Going Paperless is a Process: How to Eliminate Office Clutter

By Blog, Business Organizing, Home Office Organization, Organizing Paper Files No Comments

Is going paperless a realistic goal for you? What’s the reason you want to go paperless?

Is it to be more mobile, work from anywhere, get rid of the stacks of papers, or have information on demand from your computer?

Whatever it is, take a few minutes to decide what going paperless will look like for you. Paper organization is a process; getting clear on your vision from the start will save you a lot of time!

Making the decision to go paperless is a great step in the right direction. But it isn’t a single step… going paperless is a process.

Even after I thought I had cleared everything, I still find it is important to keep going back in and clearing more out! Staying organized is about staying on top of your systems.

What’s Your Goal for Going Paperless?

Initially, my goal in going paperless was to be completely mobile. To be able to do business and work from anywhere in the world.  My goal expanded to giving team access to documents, videos, and photos.

In this transition I had to learn new technology, set up new systems, and schedule time in my calendar for this goal. I also had to be ruthless with myself on what books, papers, magazines, articles, office supplies, and binders I really needed to keep in my office.

At the end of the day I would ask myself, what do I really need to have on hand and just a moment away? Can I access my information online or on my computer quickly? What needs to stay in paper format?

These are questions you must ask yourself, too.

Why Keep Paper in a Digital World?

This is a question that everyone is going to have a different answer for.

How comfortable are you with learning and using technology?

Some prefer the touch and feel of paper and others just want it completely out of their life so they don’t have to manage it at all. In all my years of organizing offices, homes, and small businesses, I have yet to see a completely paperless office. So get clear on what “paperless” means to you.

Where Do I Put Papers I Keep?

Depending on how much paper you have left after deciding what stays and goes, you may want to use binders kept on a shelf or in a smaller filing cabinet.

Create a space for your “Project Files” and your “Reference Files.”

Project files are active and need to be close at hand. Reference files contain information that you may need to refer to from time-to-time. You can keep those in a filing cabinet, binders, or your office.

I went from four lateral filing drawers down to two small file drawers – and it feels great! In those two filing drawers are only what I need in paper format for a few current projects, a few business reference files, and personal documents. Whenever I can, I purge a file or eliminate a project folder.

The paper files in my cabinet are not papers that I want to scan, but those that I want to have in their original formats. I may change my mind one-day, but for now I’m happy with this.

Project management apps to help you go paperless with all the projects you’re working on are:

  • Asana
  • Trello
  • ClickUp
  • OneNote
  • Evernote
  • Monday

My personal favorite is Asana and it has given me the freedom to share projects with my team which gives me peace of mind that tasks aren’t slipping through the cracks.

For simple to lists, planning a celebration, and errands, my personal preference is GoogleKeep.

Get Clear On Your Vision for Paperless

Going paperless is a process and it doesn’t happen overnight. Just like building a home!

You first have a vision and draw up a plan, then hire a contractor to build your home. After many, many months of making a lot of decisions and following through on completing task after task, you finally have reached your move-in day. And you get to walk through your front door into your new dream home!

So, what is your vision for going paperless?

Paint that picture in your mind, write out your desired outcome, and schedule time to follow through with it. Then complete all the tasks it will to take in organizing your space so you have less paper!

 

If you want to take it a step further or need some more guidance, my Organize Your Household Papers will give you a jump start on organizing your paper in your office, home, and life! You’ll get all of my trade secrets and the steps to set up your organizing systems. Really everything you’d need to be organized and manage the paper files taking up too much space in your life!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one👉

Why We Prefer New Year’s Planning in September

Aug 22
Love0

Why We Prefer New Year’s Planning in September

By Blog, Inspiration, Time Management No Comments

Transitioning from the hazy days of summer back into the realities of fall for some reason tends to feel very fortifying.

 

Maybe it’s because our days that have consisted of a loose schedule and dozing in the sunshine are now moving towards a crisper breeze and we are awakening back to life. And as the sun moves toward the southern horizon, our days are gradually shortening; which gives us the clue to renovate our productivity cycles.

Everywhere we look at this time, the trending topic is back to school season. Though many of us are prepping for this change, there is another theme of importance as well:

 

September says, “fresh start.”

The majority of people still set their goals every January 1st, but September is a steady second in becoming the new time for “New Year’s Resolutions.” Think about it – after a holiday season of stress, family time, over-indulging, and diet-breaking, is it really realistic to try and break our bad habits or create new ones?

 

September already brings the air of change, so since we are subconsciously set in the mood for reconstructing, let’s use that to our advantage and set some goals!

 

Firstly, Understand Your Goal…

 

Let’s organize your goals into these three categories: Personal, Career, and Finance.

 

The most important part of setting a goal with the intention of actually achieving it, is to really reflect on WHY you are choosing this goal. Do you feel obligated to do it, or is it something you truly want?

 

You should be passionate about your goals for the right reasons as opposed to settling for them based on what you (or others) think you should be doing! With this in mind, you will feel the motivation in your heart and that will carry you through the steps needed to reach it.

 

…But Always Remain Flexible.

 

Make sure to revisit each category on a regular basis and update or change any goals that seem outdated to you, or that no longer align with the path you want to take in life.

It’s okay to cancel things out that you once thought would be good for you – people change, careers change, and our big goals can change too! This does not mean you failed, it just means you are staying true to what you really want.

 

For example, if you’re fighting unnecessarily hard with yourself to get up extra early and implement a specific morning routine, maybe the goal is not currently something in your bandwidth. You may be better off focusing on a calming night routine instead.

 

Remember – following what feels natural to you is likely the best for you, listen to your body and build on the positive routines you already have in place. Once these are optimized, then you can begin these slow steps for other, more difficult goals.

 

Reach Out To Your Inner Circle.

 

One of the more surefire ways to keep yourself on track is to enlist others to keep you on track. It might be easy to sweep your goals off today, tomorrow, or all week… but your inner circle will kick your butt and hold you accountable like no other!

 

These people want you to succeed and at the same time see so much potential in you. Tell your inner circle what you’re trying to achieve so they can regularly ask about your progress. Or if you want a smaller accountability method, try just with a partner.

 

Who can you commit to that you trust to hold you responsible and at times, deliver brutal honesty?

 

And don’t just put it on someone else to keep you on track – set yourself digital alerts of your goals and daily steps, so you stay inspired and focused throughout the day and week.

Check-In With Yourself.

 

If you set goals last January, check back in with them now. Are any of them still unaccomplished, or now irrelevant? Revamp the ones you’d like to keep and cross off the ones which you no longer want to adhere to.

 

Whether you are redoing or creating new goals, keep these three Q’s in mind for setting the steps:

 

What is one thing you would like to stop, one thing you would like to start, and one thing you would like to continue?

 

Keep a record (digital or written) of your accomplishments along the way. This will inspire you on gloomy days, and show you just how productive you were all year by next September when you look back and review all of the hard work you put into the past year. You should feel proud!

Be The Tortoise, Not The Hare.

 

You will never cross the finish line if you burn out – or at least, you won’t be able to race the same again. Don’t push yourself past your limits and remember to take breaks. The goal race is in fact, not a race at all!

 

Set your pace and stick with what feels comfortable. Push yourself when you can, and give yourself grace days when needed. Rome was not built in a day, and you won’t be the best version of yourself overnight. It takes time, perseverance, and self-control. We all have our days of slip ups and setbacks, but what makes us truly successful is when we get back up and try again.

 

And again.

 

And again if needed!

 

Now that September is just a week away, what goals are you going to set for this year?

Comment below!

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one👉 Raising the Personal Productivity Bar