Managing Stress and Deadlines
As the year winds down, the pressure ramps up. Deadlines loom, personal to-do lists grow longer, and before you know it, you’re spending evenings at your desk when you’d rather be Christmas shopping or enjoying time with family. I’ve been there more times than I care to admit, leaving me exhausted by Christmas Day. Sound familiar?
The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way. Over the years, I’ve picked up some strategies that have helped me manage stress and meet my goals without running myself into the ground. Let me share them with you so can enjoy the build up to Christmas and be ready to start the New Year.
Step One: Be Honest About What’s Possible
Here’s the thing: You probably won’t finish everything before Christmas. Harsh? Maybe. But realistic. December has a way of sneaking up on us with its parties, school plays, and last-minute crises. If you’re lucky, there are 12 working days left—but that’s only if you’ve managed to dodge all the festive interruptions.
So, what’s the solution? Prioritise. Take a step back and figure out what must get done versus what can wait. I use a little tool called the Value vs. Complexity Matrix to help make sense of it all:
Low Complexity | High Complexity | |
High Value | Quick Wins (Do these!) | Strategic Investments (Plan carefully) |
Low Value | Nice-to-Haves (Optional) | Avoid/Defer (Not worth it) |
Grab some sticky notes, jot down your tasks, and sort them into categories. Once you’ve done this, you’ll have a clear picture of where to focus your energy and what is possible with the team availability.
Step Two: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Once you’ve figured out what’s realistic, it’s time to share the plan. Whether it’s with clients, colleagues, or your boss, transparency is key.
Of course, delivering bad news isn’t easy, especially when you’re explaining delays or adjusting deadlines. But trust me—people appreciate honesty. Over the years, I’ve learned that as long as you can explain why something is delayed, what the impact will be, and how you’ll get things back on track, most people will be understanding.
Here’s a simple matrix I use to prepare for those conversations:
Task | Original Deadline | Reason for Delay | Impact | New Plan |
Example Task 1 | 15 Dec 2024 | Resource shortage | Delivery pushed back 2 days | Deliver by 17 Dec 2024 |
This kind of clarity can go a long way. And remember—your senior team likely already suspects things aren’t running perfectly, they’ve been in your shoes. Presenting the problem with a clear plan will position you as someone who’s proactive and solutions-oriented so been calm and confident and share that plan.
Step Three: Celebrate the Small Wins
When the workload feels endless, it’s easy to lose sight of the progress you are making. Recognising those small wins can be a huge morale boost for you and your team.
In the past, I’ve done everything from ringing a bell for milestones to bringing in doughnuts for the team. Even something as simple as a shout-out during a meeting can make a big difference. Ask your team how they’d like to celebrate, and make it part of the routine.
Step Four: Delegate and Trust Your Team
If you’re reading this, you’re probably the one carrying the weight of delivering everything. But here’s the truth: You can’t do it all alone. Delegation isn’t just about lightening your load—it’s about empowering your team and letting them shine.
Start with a quick daily check-in (I’m a big fan of a 15-minute stand-up meeting) where everyone shares:
- What they did yesterday.
- What they’re focusing on today.
- Any blockers in their way.
This keeps everyone aligned and helps you spot potential issues before they escalate. Plus, it frees up your brain to focus on your priorities, not micromanaging. The key lesson here is the get those blockers resolved as soon as possible, but remember even these can be delegated you just need to ensure this is happening so the team can keep momentum.
Step Five: Time-Block Like a Pro
I’ll admit, I used to roll my eyes at the idea of time-blocking. But once I gave it a go, I realised how effective it can be. The idea is simple: carve out dedicated chunks of time for specific tasks, and stick to them.
For me, it’s become second nature. I even use time-blocking for chores at home (yes, my kitchen gets cleaned on a timer!). It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you give yourself focused, distraction-free time.
Step Six: Don’t Skip Self-Care
This one took me years to learn. In the early days of my career, self-care wasn’t even on my radar. But these days, I know it’s essential. For me, it’s a hot bath, a glass of wine, and my favourite TV show.
Whatever self-care looks like for you, make time for it—even if it’s just 15 minutes a day. You’ll be amazed at how much more productive (and happy) you feel when you’re not running on empty.
Step Seven: Look Ahead to 2025
Finally, carve out a little time to think about the new year. Even if it’s just jotting down a rough plan for January, you’ll thank yourself later. All you need is enough to know priorities for that first week back so the team can come back and hit the ground running while you look at the bigger picture.
In addition to the plan, one of my favourite ways to reflect with my team is through a retrospective—a chance to celebrate what went well, learn from what didn’t, and set actionable goals for the future. It’s a fantastic team-building exercise and a great way to start the new year with clarity and focus.
Keep on going you’re doing great!
December doesn’t have to be a mad dash to the finish line. With a bit of planning, clear communication, and a healthy dose of self-care, you can manage the stress and deadlines without losing your festive cheer. So, take a deep breath, grab a mince pie, and know that you’ve got this.
Here’s to a productive end to 2024—and an even better 2025!