Time Management Tips - 7 Easy Steps Guaranteed to Help You Clean Up After Holidays

Time management tips are about so much more than time. They serve as life rafts to carry you back to solid ground after hordes of demands drag you offshore.

So don't be discouraged by the prospect of holiday cleanup, even in the face of possible post-holiday blues. You can transform this time into an opportunity to catch your breath, relive some pleasant memories, and prepare to make next year's festivities work even better for you.

How do you restore yourself as you transition back to daily life?

First, start by affirming you are worth treating yourself well during every step of the process. If this requires assertiveness, ingenuity or the assistance of friends or family, call them in!

Second, approach this transition as a project in its own right. Provide yourself with well-scheduled time, adequate supplies and considerate planning for your needs.

Third, cultivate a receptive attitude. If you have difficulty rallying yourself, then coax yourself forward with a promised reward. And remember to deliver on your promise.

Finally, utilize these suggestions to prepare for next year's events as you put closure on this year's cycle of activities. You can shed stress and exhaustion by using these quick and easy tips to simplify and organize as you go. Then you can recharge your batteries and face this New Year with renewed enthusiasm!

7 Easy Time Tips Guaranteed to Help You Clean Up After Holidays

Time Tip #1: Strategize the ideal workspace to serve as cleanup headquarters, and outfit it for your ease and comfort.

Whether you set up a card table or clear off your dining area, make sure you create an environment where you can comfortably stand or sit. Ensure that it is well lit and pleasant. The extra minutes you take to make your space as relaxing or as stimulating as you like will help you focus, not resentfully rush through important tasks. Along with paper to make lists, include a calendar to review recent events, as well as a calendar to jot ideas for the upcoming year.

Time Tip #2: Store holiday items in the sequence you'll want to retrieve them next year, referring to last year's holiday activity calendar.

Highlight recurring events on a calendar you dedicate to planning holidays. Then visualize the optimal sequence for packing away things associated with your celebrations. When seasonal decorations are stored in the sequence in which you use them, you can easily put your hands on what you need. For example, store boxes of Halloween costumes and decorations, clearly labeled, in front of Christmas ornaments.

Time Tip #3: Collect sufficient packing materials and containers.

Avoid the aggravation of running out of supplies mid-project. Before starting, gather tissue paper, suitable storage containers and boxes the right size for packing away your prized holiday decorations. Inexpensive designed-to-fit storage containers can be most helpful.

For example, storage boxes with dividers store fragile decorations safely, so you needn't take time packing each item individually. You can find such containers in any big department store, or visit websites. This is a small investment to avoid a buildup of frustration or resentment.

Time Tip #4: Line up help with the same care you'd plan a social occasion.

As mentioned, don't hesitate to enlist one or more companions to help out, unless you prefer wrapping and storing decorations alone, as you reminisce. Notify your assistants in advance how long you estimate the cleanup will take. Then agree upon a schedule that works for all of you. Family, friends, or even a local teenager seeking a small job can shorten your task and make it more enjoyable. If others do join you, stock adequate snacks and supplies for them as well as for you.

Time Tip #5: If possible, clean up or repack after each holiday you celebrate.

If you can box up your just-used decorations before bringing out those for the upcoming festivities, you can avoid a confusing jumble.

Time Tip #6: During your cleanup for each holiday, make a note of any decorations you need to replace.

Jot down broken or missing items as you go along. Also create a list of new decorations you would like to feature for next year's celebration. Clip these lists to your holiday calendar and mark a date to shop for what you need. If you like post-holiday sales, you can store your new items along with those you pack away, avoiding next year's holiday crush. In either case, make sure you put your holiday planning calendar somewhere where it's easy to remember and quick to retrieve.

Time Tip #7: Assess Your Success.

Take a look around you. How has this experience differed from other post-holiday cleanups? Identify every improvement and thank everyone who has contributed to them, especially yourself. You're in an excellent position now to brainstorm how to apply your insights to other upcoming demands. You have converted what can be a dreary ordeal into a far more satisfying use of your time. And that is a gift that will carry you well through the rest of the year.

What is your next step to make the most of your post-holiday time?

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