The end of the work year has a way of creeping up. One minute you’ve got all the time in the world, and the next everything suddenly feels urgent. Deadlines tighten, diaries fill, and there’s this vague pressure to have everything neatly wrapped before the holidays.
It’s also a time when energy levels dip, and there’s plenty of other distractions to manage too. Here’s how to finish the work year, without being so tired you can’t enjoy your festive break.
Step back before you step forward
Before pushing ahead, take 10–15 quiet minutes to look at what you’re actually trying to finish. A small pause now can save you hours of flustered, aimless work later.
Try a mini-audit:
What genuinely needs to be done before the break?
What could be shifted to January without consequences?
What can be gently crossed off the list altogether?
Instead of trying to clear your entire backlog, choose a “must-finish” list of three to five items.
Work in small bursts
Big energy is rare in December. Rather than expecting yourself to push through, use short, focused blocks of 20 to 40 minutes to move important tasks forward.
Keep meetings light and short where you can and leave buffers in your schedule; December always throws curveballs.
Communicate so you don’t have to scramble
You can avoid a lot of last-minute stress simply by setting expectations early. A quick message like: “I may not get this completed before the break, so can we pick it up in the new year?” or “I can get XYZ done, but ABC will need to wait until January.” can help to set boundaries with managers, colleagues or clients.
These small signals help people plan around you and keep you from quietly panicking when you realise you can’t fit everything in.
Do some things to make it easier for January you
Before you log out for the final time this year, do a few small things that will make coming back in January easier.
Clear the inbox backlog (or at least archive everything older than a few weeks).
Tidy your desk so you’re not returning to a total mess.
Make a short “first week back” list so you don’t waste energy remembering where you left off.
Take a quick look back
Before signing off for the year, take a few minutes to reflect.
Ask yourself:
What worked pretty well?
What didn’t go the way you hoped?
What would you like a little more (or less) of next year?
You don’t need to form any plans right now, but understanding your thoughts can help you when you start planning next year.
These simple steps can help tie up loose ends, successfully complete projects and get ready to enjoy the festivities.