5 Productive Things to Do During Your Holiday Downtime

Taking time off during the holidays is necessary to recharge your batteries and spend time with family and friends.

While it can be tempting to take time off completely during the holidays, there is something to be said for dealing with some things that have been hanging around for “when you have time.”

Well, now is ‘the time’ and you will find that just trying one or two things on this list will make a big difference when you return to your office after the holidays.

Play With That New Technology

There is never the right time to learn a new technology when you’re up to your neck in client work. Time off during the holidays is the perfect time to play around with a new technology you’ve been wanting to learn. You’re not taking time away from client work and you can spend an hour here and there learning. No pressure!

Catch Up On Reading

Spend some of your downtime escaping in a good book. For me, the ultimate relaxing afternoon is curling up on the couch with a good mystery and a glass of wine.

You can also read for work. You may be too busy during your normal week to read business-related books, so now is the time to crack them open and educated yourself about your industry or job.

Write Thank-you Notes

Thank-you notes are a great way to keep in touch with your clients and show your appreciation for their business. Sending a hand written note will distinguish your business from your competitors. Today, we seem to be so informal, using email as the only way to communicate.

If you don’t know what to say in a thank-you note, we’ve got you covered. Click HERE for a link to Hallmark’s website which has some great ideas for writing that personal thank-you note.

Set Goals for Next Year

Spend some time during the holidays to reflect on the past year and set goals for the upcoming year. Having a set of goals gives you a baseline for measuring your success and keeps you motivated to stay on course.

Learn a New Job-related Skill

You may want to learn a new skill to make your job easier to perform. The holidays are the perfect time to take an online course. If you’ve always wanted to learn Photoshop, search online for courses that are offered and sign up. By spending few hours a day for a week or two learning a new skill will allow you to comfortably integrate this skill into your job.

Yes, holidays are meant for relaxation but by spending a few hours on work-related things, you will enter the New Year better prepared.