The holiday season is officially here and, with it, packed schedules, personal obligations, and end-of-year responsibilities. In short: while this season can be joyous, the next few weeks can be chaotic, both personally and professionally.

During times of high stress, boundary setting becomes increasingly difficult yet even more critical in maintaining efficiency, productivity, and quality. Without healthy boundaries, high-performing professionals are at a higher risk of burnout, leading to feelings of depression and anxiety, reactivity, or complacency. Boundaries, while at times hard to maintain, benefit everyone - from our team members to our clients. Furthermore, the holiday season is meant to be enjoyed. And we cannot do that if we’re stressed and constantly checking our inboxes during the most wonderful time of the year.

To ensure you are able to spend time with your friends and family this holiday season, set clear, definitive boundaries at work with a few of our Shaw Search Partners Recruiter-Approved Tips:

Review Your Job Description

Reviewing and understanding your job description is a regular practice that is not unique to the holiday season. Rather, reviewing your position’s expectations and responsibilities on a quarterly or annual basis is an exercise that both you and your manager should practice. Your job description should be viewed as the guiding light for all your professional undertakings at your organization or corporation. Too often, high-performing professionals are asked to burden responsibilities that are outside of their job description. And professionals seeking to advance their careers will likely say yes without hesitation, often leading to overwhelm. By reviewing your current job description, you are able to base your professional boundaries on a set agreement, allowing you space to say no to additional responsibilities when tasks fall outside of your purview. 

Communicate Clearly

Our golden rule is simple: no one can read your mind. If the end of the year proves to be a chaotic time period for your company or you are seeking a more flexible schedule while your kids are on school vacation, it is your responsibility to communicate your needs to your manager and fellow team members. Boundaries cannot be defined and respected without them first being communicated clearly and definitively. Set a time to speak with your manager or send an email to your team to describe your needs. And in turn, be sure to listen and recognize the boundaries communicated by your team members or employees in return.

Review Time-Off Allowances

Before submitting your vacation requests, be sure to review your organization’s policies regarding holiday time off well in advance of your request. In today’s modern workplace culture, your company may offer flexibility in terms of work hours, allowing you to work remotely and at differing times than the rest of your team. Between traveling and festive events with friends and family, flexibility should be taken into consideration to allow for a better balance between work and fun. Yet, you should not hesitate to utilize your vacation time as needed! Those vacation or personal days are there for a reason.

Practice Saying No

This time of year often comes with lots of additional responsibilities. From shopping for Secret Santa gifts, organizing an office holiday party, or committing to volunteer initiatives, our professional and personal calendars intensify. We consider the first rule of boundary setting is learning to say no. High-performing professionals often feel obligated to lend a helping hand or agree to responsibilities beyond what is truly expected of them. This time of year, it’s important to remember that saying no is not a professional slight and will not negatively impact your career trajectory. Rather, pick and choose your commitments with care to ensure you are able to deliver without risking your mental stamina.

Check In With Yourself

Not entirely sure what your boundaries should be this time of year? It’s not an uncommon problem, but it’s critical that you understand your bandwidth before setting definitive priorities. Take a moment to check in with yourself, your current personal and professional workload, and your time availability. Remember that your boundaries are your own and cannot be defined by external stakeholders. 

This time of year - while stressful - is full of joy. But, to enjoy the season to the fullest and create meaningful memories with those you love, you first need to understand your boundaries, communicate your needs, and follow through with your commitments. With a few carefully set and respected boundaries, it truly can be the most wonderful time of year!