How to finish the business year without burnout and stress
- Written by Dr Tiffany De Sousa Machado
Are you in it yet? "It" being the 'Christmas crawl'—that feeling of trudging through the final stretch of the year as you approach Christmas.
Maybe you've already decided something on your to-do list is a 'next year' problem. Physically here but mentally on a beach somewhere, living out the Instagram meme in real time.
Or maybe you’re on the other end of the spectrum, skidding into Christmas with an unfinished to-do list and a mounting pile of last-minute projects hanging over your head.
The pressure to finish strong and accomplish everything can create a frantic pace, leaving you feeling anxious and exhausted.
Chances are most of us find ourselves somewhere on this spectrum—either feeling checked out or completely overwhelmed. And we can all agree that neither of these states is an ideal way to wrap up the year.
So, before you completely capitulate to the ‘Christmas crawl’ or the chaos of last-minute deadlines with diminishing energy, let’s leverage this transitional period to our advantage.
Enter a simple yet highly effective framework: 'the 5 Rs'. This strategy is designed to help you reflect, regain control, refocus your efforts, and finish the year on a high note—whatever that looks like to you!
Reflection
This is not new advice—but what's stopping you from actually doing it? In a world where we're constantly bombarded with information and distractions, taking the time to reflect can feel like a luxury we can't afford. But here's the truth: without reflection, you're simply running, spinning your wheels without any real progress. Are you really content to let another year slip by without extracting valuable lessons from your experiences? The real waste lies not in the time spent reflecting, but in the missed opportunities for growth and improvement that you overlook when you don’t pause and analyse what’s working and what’s not.
What has gone well personally and professionally? What are the standout achievements of our team and company? Celebrating successes and recognising each team member’s contributions isn’t just about the big wins; it’s about acknowledging all progress, no matter how small. This fosters a culture of appreciation and gives morale a significant boost. It also dispels lingering frustrations, feelings of being undervalued, and anxieties about ‘feeling’ behind. Slowing down and reflecting also allows us to take it one week at a time. Focus on today, not the whole year.
Revisit and Reframe
Now, let’s confront the less glamorous moments. What went wrong? What could have been done differently? Encouraging your team to dissect these missteps and extract valuable lessons is crucial. Reframe failures as learning opportunities, resetting intentions and strategies based on these insights. This approach not only enhances awareness but also equips your team to handle similar challenges with greater resilience in the future. It's all about transforming setbacks and moving forward with a fresh perspective. As you reflect and reframe, consider how these experiences can inform your future actions—particularly with so few weeks left in the year?
Revive
Ask your team, “What does finishing strong look like for you?” Turn these sessions into vibrant, creative events with idea-generating speed dating around what the end of year could look like, delicious food, shoulder massages, and music. Your goal here is to boost morale and empower both yourself and the team, reinforcing the idea that you are in control of shaping the end of the year. When everyone feels invested and inspired about what lies ahead, you’ll end the year on a high note, ready to tackle new opportunities with renewed energy and purpose.
Refocus
Think ahead to how you want to start 2025. What headspace do you want to be in? What do you want to have completed? It’s time to plan with intention. What does meaningful success look like for your team? What’s the most critical project that needs to be finished by year’s end? The uncomfortable truth is that one of the most effective ways to reduce overwhelm in our busy world is to get crystal clear on what we can realistically achieve. And then? Go for it. Equally important is deciding what you, as a team, will not care about. There will always be too much to do, no matter what. So, pour your finite time, energy, and attention into a handful of things that truly matter. Break it down into weekly goals.
Challenge your team to include their own well-being in these plans, because a workforce that neglects its well-being is a ticking time bomb.
Reinforce
Finally, embed these initiatives deep into your team and organisation's culture. Don't just pay lip service to growth—live it. Implement regular check-ins, keep the praise flowing, and foster a climate where feedback isn’t just tolerated but welcomed. This will maintain the energy and focus needed for a strong finish to the year.
By applying the five Rs, you’ll do more than just re-energise your workforce. You'll cultivate a resilient, motivated, and forward-thinking team primed to dominate the final week of 2024 and beyond.
Dr Tiffany De Sousa Machado is a speaker, the Head of Wellbeing and Development at www.drtiff.com.au, Lecturer and Associate Head People & Culture, Adelaide Business School, University of Adelaide and a 2022 Westpac Social Change Fellow & 2017 Westpac Future Leader.
