End-of-Year Cruise Control: Working Without the Rush
'Tis the season of extremes. If you work in retail, things are really starting to pick up! From Halloween candy and costumes to dinnerware, décor, and holiday gifts, retail establishments have begun a sprint to a finish line months away.
But if you're a moving company or work in an adjacent field, such as real estate, you might be hearing crickets during our annual slow season. It can be hard to push yourself to keep working when it seems like so many of your neighbors and colleagues are taking time off and getting away.
How can one stay motivated?
That annual challenge of either staying motivated without the rush or staying balanced with the rush always reminds me of one of my first jobs stocking product at a grocery store. Working the night shift, we enjoyed a casual dress code, even tank tops, while slinging inventory all night. Then all of a sudden management decided we were required to wear ties while doing our grueling work! Why? In addition to a better appearance to the occasional customer in the wee hours of the day, the purpose of our new dress code was to switch our mindset from one of racing to the finish line to one of maintaining steady progress; to stay productive, but with a tempered pace. Our shirts and ties were reminders that we were doing more than grunt work, whether or not we were within sight of customers.
The takeaway? Whether it's feast or famine, rush or slush, let's pursue a balanced pace to the end of the year.
For example, during Camelot's slow season, I try to focus on the housekeeping tasks that are hard to keep up with in the busy season. Not too long ago, a realtor friend of mine told me that she gets more work during the holidays because so many others take time off. With less competition and more availability, she's able to stay ahead of the game while others check out. In other words, a smaller pie, but a bigger slice!
And if you're racing through your annual busy season, remember to check out when you clock out. Recuperate, refresh, recreate so you can return and resume your work the next day. No matter our line of work, let's try to throttle back the sprint just a bit and finish the marathon with grace and a big smile!