HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE HOLIDAYS

Many professionals look forward to the holidays. It’s adjudged ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. The holiday season is a time when you get a little break from work to spend some time with those you love. Focusing on the things that can impact your well-being and career amidst the lots of social activities could be hard. However, it is important you maximize the holiday season.How do you do so?

LEARN TO SAY NO

If you are the go-to person for solving problems in your circle, you should consider being kind to your health. Taking more than you can handle can lead to stress. You should be able to say no when you have reached your limit. Also, delegate some tasks to others even though you may be good at them. Delegation will free up time for you to take some rest.

SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR LOVE ONES

The lots of activities and parties by which this period is characterized by can eat into time with family. Rather than host a party, why not eat out with loved ones so you can spend that ‘little time together’. Dan Messinger, Head, Cream of Crop Leaders puts it this way: ‘When you die, is it really going to matter how many tasks you were able to check off in your life? Is it really going to matter how impeccably clean your house was? How high you climbed on the corporate ladder? Take a breath. Enjoy your family’.

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER

The career development path is a never-ending one. Career advisors agree that the holidays is a strategic time to advance your career. They advised that professionals should debunk the myth that companies aren’t hiring during this time. Advancing your career also entails taking the time to finish or start an online course you may have been putting on hold or volunteering at one or two projects in your office or community to bag new skills.

BUILD NEW CONNECTIONS

There will be lots of informal events at this time and as such creates an ample opportunity to make new connections and strengthen your professional network. Because the environment will be relaxed, it’s a perfect time to connect with high-level executives whom you may not ordinarily have access to on a normal day. Consider being strategic in your approach though. For example, it is better to ask questions rather than talk about yourself. Kathleen Brady Author of Get A Job! 10 Steps to Career Success, says asking questions ‘allows you to begin to build rapport and establish relationships’. This method helps you warm your way into the heart of those whom you are seeking to build relationships with. It shows you are interested in them and the work they do.

GIVE

This is a season of lots of giving. Besides giving gifts, it won’t be out of place to help a colleague who is struggling in their own journey. You could help with a piece of advice, referral or a recommendation. One professional mentioned how she helped a fellow applicant rehearse typical interview questions beforehand. That gesture gave her some insights in answering same questions when it was her turn to be interviewed. She got the job at the end of the day. Just reach out to help someone advance a step forward in their own career if it is in your power to do so. You may be paving the way for your own progress.