The holidays are just around the corner, which means it's time to get your employees motivated and excited about what's to come. The holidays can be stressful for many, but it doesn't have to be that way at work. You can make the holiday season enjoyable by putting these six tips into action.
How to Give a Holiday Boost in 6 Ways
#1 Encourage Employees to Set Specific Holiday Goals
What is a holiday goal? It's a concrete, measurable outcome you want to achieve before the end of the year. Holiday goals are important because they help employees focus their efforts on what matters most at this time of year. They also create an incentive for them to do something different than usual, which can lead to lasting positive changes in behavior and health habits over time!
How should you set holiday goals? Think about what would make this season special for you, and then think about how achieving that goal would improve your overall happiness in both short-term and long-term terms. Once these two pieces have been identified, write down specific steps required for reaching each objective; this helps ensure that nothing falls through the cracks when things get busy again after New Year's Day rolls around too quickly! Finally, remember that it’s 100% okay for people to have completely different goals. Just encourage everyone to keep track throughout December of how much progress has been made toward each objective, which will allow everyone to feel better if there's still work left unfinished by January 1st.
#2 Recognize and Reward Achievement
Employee motivation is important, and the holidays are a great time to recognize and reward employee achievements at work. It's also an opportunity for employers to show their appreciation for the hard work of employees during this busy time of year with small gifts or bonuses—or even just a simple "thank you." Recognition doesn't have to be limited to monetary rewards; it could come in the form of time off or special privileges, like being able to bring your pet dog into the office! Interested in corporate rewards this season? Get FREE access to our 2023 Holiday Product Guide!
#3 Offer Flexible Scheduling
Flexible scheduling is a great way to reduce stress and increase employee satisfaction. It means that you offer your employees more control over when they work, where they work, and how much they work. It can also help employees better manage their time, which will in turn enable them to manage their work-life balance more effectively. For example, you might allow some employees to come in late or leave early during the holidays (if they want). This gives them more time with family members while still allowing them enough hours at the office. Another option would be allowing employees who have children at home with babysitters or nannies to stay home when needed during busy weeks like this one.
#4 Host a Holiday-Themed Team Building Activity
Hosting a holiday-themed team-building activity is a great way to give employees the chance to bond, get to know each other better, work together on a project, and learn new skills. It's also a great opportunity for you, as an employer, to learn about your employees' personalities and interests. If you're looking for something fun but still productive, consider having everyone meet up at the local skating rink or bowling alley. If that doesn't sound like it would work well with your business model or if your office doesn't have enough room for everyone at once (or even if it does), try organizing smaller groups instead of one big group activity. For example, the HR department will meet over lunch every Wednesday until Christmas. This gives HR professionals time away from their desks while allowing them opportunities for collaboration outside their normal roles within the company—plus they'll probably have some great stories afterwards!
#5 Create a Festive Work Environment
The holidays are a time when people tend to be more motivated than normal. If you want to get into the spirit of the season, try one or all of these ideas:
- Hang up some tinsel and lights around your cubicle or desk area.
- Play holiday music in your break room while people are working hard on their projects.
- Offer free coffee drinks during lunch breaks.
- Surprise your employees with festive treats and snacks like cookies, hot chocolate, or seasonal fruits.
- Create different themes throughout the office based on your team’s favorite holiday movies.
#6 Celebrate Small and Big Wins
Don't forget about both types of celebrations during this time of year. Small celebrations can help boost morale while keeping everyone focused on their work goals; big celebrations will give employees something fun to look forward to after they've finished their tasks for the day. When you or your team is celebrating a small win, make sure that the celebration doesn't take precedence over work responsibilities and deadlines—and vice versa for big wins!
And Have a Happy New Year!
Ready to get started? With these tips, you'll be able to boost employee motivation during the holidays and all year. You can start by setting specific holiday goals and recognizing achievement in whatever form it takes. Then, offer flexible scheduling options so that people feel like they have more control over their time off from work. Host a festive team-building activity or two—not only do they help build connections among coworkers but also create fun memories!
