As December 25th nears, it’s easy to let holiday stress mount. Between preparing for holiday sales and dealing with extra customer traffic, it can be tough to keep your head on straight. But have no fear! Q4 doesn’t have to lead to burnout! By following these tips, you'll be able to enjoy the holidays while keeping your business running smoothly.
1. Delegate.
It’s okay to ask for help! If you’re bogged down with tons of customer inquiries and website maintenance, consider recruiting an extra pair of hands this season. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or hired help, additional support will help keep you– and your customers– happy.
If printing, packing and shipping orders all by yourself is overwhelming you, you’ve come to the right place. Print on Demand providers can help take a huge load off your shoulders! At Printed Mint, we take care of the entire production process, so you can focus on growing your business.
2. Set realistic goals
Every day, set a specific, reasonable goal for yourself. The keyword here is reasonable. You want to be able to go to sleep every night knowing you accomplished something. Whether it’s responding to any emails that come in before 3pm, adding keywords to five Etsy listings, or sending out a newsletter, make a goal each morning and see it through by the evening. Achieving goals will motivate you to keep moving forward.
3. Take breaks
Even if it's just a few minutes every hour, step away from your work to relax and rejuvenate. It may seem counterintuitive, but taking “purposeful” breaks (i.e. a stroll around the neighborhood, calling a friend, or tidying up your space) can help you complete tasks faster. Try to stay away from social media during this rejuvenation time. According to a study, cell phone breaks cause mental depletion, whereas “purposeful breaks” increase productivity.
4. Stick to your routine
Even during the holidays, allow yourself time to work and play, and don’t be afraid to schedule this! Establishing a routine with a good work-life balance will help you feel more in control of your life and less stressed out. Plus, it’ll set the stage for guilt-free breaks.
5. Remember your why
Why did you start your business? What’s the best part of doing what you do? Write it down and put it somewhere you’ll see it every day. When things get hard, you need to remember your purpose. You’ve got this.
Last but not least…
6. enjoy yourself!
Even business owners should get to indulge in the holiday spirit! Take a minute to relax and spend time with loved ones. This season only comes once a year. Don’t let this one pass you by.
