Define a non-negotiable minimal goal

On the one hand, more ad-hoc to-dos and tasks pop up. On the other hand, there is a materialization of, yes, expected, but somehow every time surprising to-dos finding their way into my agenda (yes, holiday cards, I’m talking about you). On the third hand of this octopus are all the topics that just accumulated during the year as they were neither urgent nor extremely important, and there is this nagging feeling – almost craving – just to get them done. All these categories contribute to a time constraint. To make this big round peg fit into a round yet small hole, it might be tempting to save some time by skipping routines temporarily. This certainly helps to some extent to solve the short-term problem but also helps to create one in the longer term as your routine structure gets undermined. This is why my goal for the month is not so much the thorough execution of the established routines, but much more the assurance that the edifice built of them holds. Thus, my approach is to reduce the intensity and the associated timespan (if need be) but to keep the routines as much as I can. If I absolutely must skip a routine, I go out of my way to make sure I don’t skip it more than once in a row. This exercise is, for me, a way of becoming more resilient as, by maintaining the habits and routines, I reconfirm my own self-identification.

Practice flexibility with task & project management tools

December for me is not just about resilience but also about flexibility. It also builds a very convincing case for how one supports the other. Throughout the years, I have had mixed feelings towards task management tools: sometimes it feels they create a layer of bureaucracy and administration I can hardly develop appreciation for. At the same time, I noticed that it is useful to predefine a threshold or a red line that becomes a trigger and an imperative for me to utilize a tool, at least for a while. For some time, this threshold was noticing that I started writing to-do lists of miscellaneous items on a napkin or a post-it the size of Capri. While having nothing against post-its or manual to-do lists (and even actually liking the moment of passionately scratching items one by one off it and then burning the list or tearing it into pieces), I have a lot against my handwriting, especially when pressed for time. This is why now, for me, it is the differentiator between “I might use a task management tool” and “I lock all pens, pencils, brushes, and even eyeliners and start using a proper tool.” At least until things get stable again, which is commonly called “January.” 

Use external constraints and controls

This one works marvels not only during turbulent December weeks but has been an evergreen even during the months when the first association with green is not a Christmas tree. A typical constraint is knowing my part of the work is a prerequisite for somebody else to finally roll up their sleeves and start cracking. If I cannot find motivation to go the round for me, I certainly find it for the team. Thus, data gets prepared in time (even if at the last minute), and all invoices happen to be in the right place at the right time. A control results for me from a mere statement and self-positioning, even if no one is effectively monitoring. However, there is always an option to find a real accountability buddy who would be checking on you or even to have a formal written contract – whatever tickles your pickle.

These points have been very useful for me to reduce the chaos that the year-end phase kicks off. Probably the best part of this phase for me is the fact that it forces me to pause for a second and identify the tools that will make this time of the year much more enjoyable. I find it very rewarding to stumble on something I have been doing half unconsciously and muse over it, umming, “Hang on, this is interesting.”