As we currently find ourselves in the middle of the schools summer holidays, it’s no secret that this time, and the various periods of time our children are off of school can be a stressful time of year. We’re all running around from event to event, trying to get work done and still find time to maintain our home lives.
Our children are so full of joy and anticipation for what is to come, and it’s our job to make sure they can enjoy their holidays to the fullest.
Having to balance holiday activities and childcare with our daily responsibilities can be challenging and it can be a lot to juggle. So what are some helpful tips for balancing work and life during the holidays?
Plan ahead
Organise your calendar to prioritise all big projects and assignments based on deadlines. Not only will writing down help with remembering, it keeps you focused on long-term goals, so the holidays are enjoyable without work interruptions.
Take some quiet time to yourself
When the holidays bring everyone you love to your home, it can be hard to find the quiet space you need to focus on your work. But there are a few things you can do: First, invest in some noise-cancelling headphones so you can treat yourself to some peace and quiet. Second, sit down with your family and create a schedule of when you’ll all be silent and when you’ll be able to fully enjoy each other’s company.
If you decide to work outside the home, the holidays can be a bad time to rely on cafes. With everyone rushing around, finding one that isn’t too crowded or loud can be hard. And even if you do get lucky enough to find a relatively quiet spot, the stress of others around you is going to make it hard for you to focus.
Establish boundaries
Many people want to keep their holiday and work lives separate. It’s a good thing, too—the holidays are about family and friends! But if you want to come out of the holidays feeling rejuvenated instead of overwhelmed with upcoming work deadlines, it’s important to find that balance. Consider setting a limit on how many hours you work each day if your work life is encroaching on your personal time.
While working at home, you should have clear defined working hours to ensure you dont fall into the trap of working late into the night. Do not read your email, respond to messages, or log into your account after work is done. Make sure your team members understand that you will not be available after hours until after the holidays.
Find a flexible workspace
Coworking spaces are filled with individuals enduring the same stresses as you and struggling with the same balance issues as you. They’re also great places to bond with others about the stressful holidays and rely on a quiet place to concentrate and do your work. It’s an easy way to immerse yourself in a productive environment—no matter how hectic things get at home.
Not only that, but flexible coworking spaces provide an environment that is ideal for networking with like-minded individuals who can help your business grow. You never know who you might meet—or what opportunities might arise.
Use technology to your advantage
Technology is good for helping us balance work and life. When we’re working from the office during the holidays, technology makes it easy to stay connected with everyone we care about. We can answer phone calls from our children in a flash, and we can use cloud-based apps to access files from anywhere there’s an internet connection.
Be kind to yourself
It’s important to remember that balance is key. Work needs to be taken care of without jeopardising personal relationships and social activity. If your work responsibilities tend to keep you from taking time off and other breaks throughout the year, it’s especially important to schedule time off during your holiday season. Make sure that you focus on self-care and maintaining your well-being so that your goals can be achieved in the long term.