If you are in retail sales it is even busier, with most retail businesses open longer hours. There is also more packing and shipping to think about as well as managing stock and making sure that everything reaches buyers before the holidays start in earnest.
On top of all of this work stuff, you have to organize your own holidays, which may mean shopping for gifts, decorating the house, planning holiday meals, inviting guests or making travel plans to visit family or friends. In short, a lot of extra work to be accomplished in a short period of time. For those of you who start all of these things in August and have everything finished by September, congratulations. You can stop reading now! For the rest of us here are a few time management tips to see us through this “most wonderful time of the year.”
- Start by making your lists. I suggest you sort your lists into different categories, for example:
- Work: List everything that you have to finish before the holiday break.
- Home: List all the things that have to be done to prepare your home for the holidays.
- Shopping: List all the people you have to buy for and what you want to get for them and when.
- Social engagements: Make a separate list of all your social engagements (business and personal) include dates, times and anything you need to take with you.
- Once your lists are prepared, add the amount of time you think it will take you to complete individual items on your list. Don’t forget to add in travel time if that’s a consideration.
- Keep to your schedule as much as you possibly can. If you miss some things reschedule them quickly.
- Finally, enjoy your holidays. Let your lists keep you on track and be sure to add in some time for a little relaxation. Remember to take a break or two and give yourself a small treat for getting things done.
A tip of the glass from me to you
E Column
by Elizabeth “E” Slater, In Short Direct MarketingA recognized expert in the fields of direct marketing and sales in the wine marketplace. Slater has taught more wineries and winery associations how to create and improve the effectiveness of their direct marketing programs and to make the most of each customer’s potential than anyone in the wine industry today.
