Written by Gilles Varette, Business Coach
30 years’ experience in Leadership; NCO in a paratrooper regiment in his native France, leading a global virtual team for a Nasdaq-listed company, Board stewardship, Coaching, and Mentoring. Gilles, an EMCC-accredited coach, holds a Master’s in Business Practice and diplomas in Personal Development and Executive Coaching, as well as Mental Health and Well-being.
As the year draws to a close, many of us reflect on our achievements, setbacks, and the ongoing challenge of navigating personal and professional spheres. In today’s evolving landscape, resilience and adaptability are not just advantageous. They are essential for growth and well-being. Striking this equilibrium during the year-end can reduce stress and improve overall performance.
With the year winding down, I find myself facing an all-too-familiar struggle. The demands of wrapping up work collide with holiday obligations, each competing for time and attention, leaving me stretched thin. I wrestle with balancing the urgency of professional deadlines against the pull of personal commitments, trying to manage both but often feeling overwhelmed by the chaos. Planning for this period feels like a continuous juggling act, where keeping everything in sync seems nearly impossible.
In this article, I’ll share practical strategies that have helped me navigate this struggle, and I hope they’ll be useful to you as well. Drawing from research and personal experience, you’ll find actionable approaches for managing the year-end rush while fostering well-being and laying a solid foundation for the year ahead. Angela Duckworth, in Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (2017), reminds us that success isn’t just about talent; it’s about the tenacity to persevere through challenges with passion. This “grit” becomes essential during high-pressure periods like year-end planning, where sustained effort and adaptability can transform stress into a source of growth.
By embracing change and nurturing resilience, we can turn even this challenging season into an opportunity for future success.
1. Integrating work-life balance into strategic planning
Work-life balance isn’t just a buzzword; it should be a core part of any strategic plan.
Organizations that prioritize employee well-being experience improved productivity, reduced burnout, and higher job satisfaction.
In Work-Life Balance Is a Cycle, Not an Achievement (Harvard Business Review, 2021), the authors argue that harmony between professional and personal responsibilities isn’t fixed but an ongoing cycle of adjustments. Instead of striving for perfection, regularly reassessing and realigning priorities helps sustain productivity and well-being, especially during high-pressure periods like year-end.
Example: Sarah, a busy parent juggling work and family, carves out “focus hours” in the early morning. This intentional focus time allows her to tackle tasks without interruption, maintaining her productivity and reducing stress.
According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index (2022), employees using a hybrid work model report greater satisfaction as it allows them to tailor schedules to their needs, promoting better work-life balance.
Embedding these practices into our routines creates a foundation for resilience that helps us manage high-pressure periods. Achieving resilience, however, requires more than strategic planning. It’s equally about maintaining a balance that supports both professional goals and personal well-being.
2. Resilience through balance
Aligning work and personal commitments lays a foundation for resilience. A balanced life is a support system, giving us the mental and emotional bandwidth to adapt to challenges. This approach reduces stress and fosters resilience, making it easier to handle obstacles.
Research by Sonia Lupien (2023) on stress-related resilience emphasizes that repeated exposure to manageable stress strengthens our capacity to face larger challenges. Maintaining balance in daily life minimizes stress impacts while building resilience over time.
Example: John, who manages a demanding job alongside marathon training, meticulously plans his days, dedicating early mornings to running while ensuring time for rest and nutritious meals. This routine boosts his physical endurance and strengthens his mental resilience, teaching him that consistent adjustments can build a more adaptable mindset.
3. Self-care as a core strategy
During high-pressure periods like year-end, self-care often takes a backseat, yet it’s essential for sustaining energy and productivity. Regular breaks, mindfulness, and short walks can significantly improve focus and creativity, while also fortifying our capacity to navigate stress. Employees who prioritize mental and emotional health are not only more productive but also more adaptable, handling challenges at work and home with greater ease.
According to the World Health Organization (2019), workplace stress is a significant contributor to global mental health issues, leading to decreased productivity, higher absenteeism, and long-term health problems. WHO emphasizes that self-care and mental health initiatives are crucial for reducing stress and fostering resilience, particularly during demanding times.
Embedding self-care into our routines sets the stage for a balanced year-end. Setting boundaries further reinforces these practices, ensuring our commitment to well-being remains intact even when demands peak.
Example: Emma, a freelance designer, finds that regular self-care practices keep her creativity flowing. During demanding projects, she takes short mindfulness breaks and walks to clear her mind, staying focused and energized while setting boundaries to avoid burnout.
4. Setting boundaries for success
As the holiday season nears, the pressure to meet personal and professional commitments can become overwhelming. Setting clear boundaries is essential for staying grounded and avoiding over-commitment. Effective communication, whether with colleagues or family, helps manage expectations. Tools like shared calendars or time-blocking ensure that boundaries are respected.
Charles Feltman, in The Thin Book of Trust (2023), highlights that trust is built through clear, honest communication where expectations are shared openly and commitments are made with integrity.
Example: Mark, who finds himself overwhelmed with social and family obligations, openly communicates his availability and sets clear boundaries to protect his time. Shared calendars keep everyone on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and helping him stay grounded. Open communication makes it easier for Mark to set limits while ensuring his commitments are respected.
5. Fostering a supportive organizational culture
To thrive in today’s fast-paced world, organizations must foster a culture that values resilience, harmony, and adaptability. Research shows that resilient organizational cultures not only support well-being but also drive productivity and employee loyalty. For example, forward-thinking companies provide flexible work arrangements, including remote work options, adjustable hours, and mental health resources, allowing employees to manage personal commitments alongside professional demands.
Google, for instance, offers its employees access to wellness initiatives and onsite counselling, underscoring the importance of mental health. Similarly, Salesforce’s “Family Planning Benefits” program provides additional support, acknowledging employees’ broader life responsibilities and fostering a culture where well-being and productivity go hand-in-hand.
Naomi Shragai, in Work Therapy (2021), discusses how unresolved psychological challenges hinder performance and well-being. She emphasizes that companies can build a resilient, productive workforce by proactively supporting mental health and creating environments that prioritize well-being.
Example: Maria, a teacher, has a support network with colleagues who cover for each other during busy periods and share strategies for managing stress. This supportive environment, reinforced by the administration’s encouragement of teamwork and professional development, fosters resilience and well-being.
Conclusion
Year-end planning doesn’t have to lead to burnout. Instead, it offers a powerful opportunity to build resilience, using challenges as stepping stones to long-term growth. As Angela Duckworth’s concept of “grit” reminds us, success is often born of sustained effort through life’s most demanding times. By integrating work-life balance into planning, nurturing self-care, setting boundaries, and fostering supportive cultures, we not only survive but thrive.
We are all navigating this journey, filled with successes and setbacks. I hope that these insights inspire you as they have motivated me, bringing clarity and purpose to this year-end season. Let’s approach the months ahead with renewed intention, equipped to turn challenges into enduring growth and resilience. Here’s to a balanced and fulfilling end of the year that sets the stage for a brighter, more resilient future.
Ready to embrace resilience and steady your course for the year-end? Book a complimentary consultation to explore personalized strategies tailored to your unique challenges. Together, we’ll craft a practical work-life strategy that helps you navigate the year-end rush and lays the groundwork for sustained success and well-being in the coming year.
Gilles Varette, Business Coach
30 years’ experience in Leadership: NCO in a paratrooper regiment in his native France, leading a global virtual team for a Nasdaq-listed company, Board stewardship, Coaching, and Mentoring. Gilles, an EMCC-accredited coach, holds a Master’s in Business Practice and diplomas in Personal Development and Executive Coaching, as well as Mental Health and Well-being. He strongly believes that cultivating a Growth Mindset is the key to Personal Development and a natural safeguard against the expertise trap. He lives by this quote from Epictetus: “It is not what happens to you that matters, but how you react, when something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it”.
References:
Duckworth, A. (2017). Grit: Why Passion and Resilience Are the Secrets to Success. London: Vermilion.
Feltman, C. (2023). The Thin Book of Trust, Third Edition. Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Lupien, S. (2023). For the Love of Stress.
Lupu, L. and Ruiz-Castro, M. (2021). Work-Life Balance Is a Cycle, Not an Achievement. Harvard Business Review.
Shragai, N. (2021). The Man Who Mistook His Job for His Life. Random House.
World Health Organization. (2019). Mental Health in the Workplace. Available at: WHO.
