5 Ways to Stay Productive During the Holidays

Work? Who really wants to work during the holidays? If you are a small business owner though you might need to do a little work (or a lot) during the holidays. This can be tough for a number of reasons. Are you planning on traveling during the holidays? Are your children off of school? Do you have family or friends coming to visit? 

So, how do we stay productive during the holidays? A business owner most likely cannot close up shop for two months in order to prepare for the holidays. Here are 5 solutions that will help you stay productive and still enjoy the holiday season: 

1. Update your calendar - If you have not updated your calendar for the holidays now is the time to do so! If it is an important event or meeting and you do not want to miss it, get it on your calendar now. Block out your travel time, change in kids schedules, holiday get-togethers and networking events.

2. Your time management - Now that you have updated your calendar, make sure that you have given yourself the right amount of time to complete client projects and make deadlines - especially during the holidays. Maybe now is a good time to go back and put in a little "cushion" (extra time) between events.

3. Prepare in advance - This is also contingent up updating your calendar. Now you can prepare in advance for events, projects, and any other arrangements that need to be made. What can you do now so you don't have to do it later?

4. Set reasonable goals - Once you have updated your calendar (see #1) you will have a clear idea of what your holiday calendar looks like. As you gain new business, or commit to additional projects, make sure you set reasonable goals. It is quite possible that your schedule is not going to allow for you to do as much work as you would in a normal (non-holiday) month.

5. Utilize your time wisely - Traveling during the holidays? You might have some time in the car, on a plane, or on a train to get some work done. Knowing what your calendar looks like for the next month allows you to plan accordingly. Maybe even getting up 15 minutes earlier each morning to crank out some additional emails or blog posts is the way to go.

The holidays are meant to be spent with family and friends, but a business will not run itself. Follow these steps to stay productive and still enjoy the holiday season! Happy holidays!

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