Shawna LevetHow to Get Through Busy Season With Your Sanity Intact
If you’re a travel agent, you might be thinking, “there’s really no such thing as a slow season and busy season for me. There’s just busy and busier.” You’re always doing something. But these late months of winter through early spring are, typically, an especially difficult time for travel professionals. Depending on your niche, there’s a good chance it is peak season for making reservations. The magic of December’s sparkling, powdery snows has given way to the cold, grey slush of mid-winter.
“It’s time to call my travel agent,” your clients think. And they do. Your inbox is flooded with requests for spring break, summer vacations, June honeymoons… even a few last-minute winter getaways. Busy season happens every year, but you can find ways to stay energized and refreshed. It’s all about intentionality.
10 Things To Help You Through Busy Season
1. Delegate tasks
Do you consider yourself a perfectionist? If so, chances are good that you cling tightly to little tasks that you’re probably better off delegating to someone else. It can be hard to let go of tasks when you want them done a certain way or fear it will take longer to explain the task than to just do it yourself. But this kind of thinking will leave you stretched thin and unable to grow your business.
2. Write things down
Getting your to-do list down on paper has numerous benefits. Studies show that writing things down helps our brain organize, distill, and remember information. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our tasks, it can be difficult to even get started. A list gives you a place to start. With a to-do list, you can visualize what needs to be done, prioritize it, and then physically cross it off once it is done.
3. Simplify your routine
Variety and spontaneity are fun, but during a really busy season, it is best to keep your routine simple. Here are a few ideas to help you add some simplicity to your busy schedule:
- Meal prep on Sunday night. Portion your lunches, make some freezer meals, and even get some nourishing snacks ready to grab when you need to refuel.
- Lay out your clothes the night before. This simple act will help you start your day sharp rather than wasting mental energy making small decisions.
- Stay organized at home and in the office. Keep your spaces clutter-free. Put things away as soon as you are done using them and you’ll avoid the stress of searching for lost items when you’re on a time crunch.
What else can you do to simplify?
4. Treat your time like your money
Personal finance expert and author, Dave Ramsey, says “Doing a budget is simply telling your money where to go.” This approach can be applied to time management as well. If you don’t tell your time what to do, you’ll get to the end of the day wondering where it all went. Prioritize, cut what needs to be cut, and be aware of things that drain your time. This doesn’t mean you have to live in a frenzied rush. It’s just about being intentional with your time. A ten-minute break of sitting quietly and doing absolutely nothing is more rejuvenating than a 30-minute break of scrolling aimlessly through social media.
5. Start your day well
An energizing morning routine is critical to starting your day on the right track. While the specifics of what you need might look different for each person, the important thing is to create a routine that helps you feel your best and stick to it. For many people, this includes habits such as working out, eating a good breakfast, and drinking a big glass of water first thing. Check out our article on the 8 Things Successful People Do Each Morning for more tips!
6. Don’t work through lunch
It’s so tempting to eat at your desk when you’re in the middle of a hectic workday. But do your best to take an actual break in the middle of your day. Multi-tasking is not going to make you more productive and your eyes really do need a break from your computer. Give yourself the freedom to step away for lunch.
7. Be ok with saying no
If you’re in a people-oriented profession, you’re probably the kind of person that finds it hard to say no. You are the first to accept an invitation, volunteer, or attend a social event. It’s ok to say no! Don’t overexert yourself doing good things at the expense of the best things — the things you really value and prioritize.
8. Sleep well
Sometimes we get so focused on getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep we forget that the quality of sleep matters, not just quantity (though this does matter!). It’s possible to sleep for 10 hours and still wake up feeling groggy and disoriented. It’s also possible to sleep for 6 and wake up feeling energized. If you have trouble falling asleep or wake frequently, you may be suffering from poor quality sleep. Taking simple steps such as cutting out afternoon caffeine, or skipping the screen time before bed can improve your overall sleep. Here are some other good tips for improving your sleep quality.
9. Get outside
There is a word in Dutch, uitwaaien, which translates literally to “outblowing.” More descriptively, however, it suggests the idea of escaping from your taxing routine into the windy outdoors. Clear your head by letting “the bad air out” and “the good air in.” Science is still making a case for what the Dutch have long-known: regular time outside is important for a sound mind and a strong body. Whether it’s a lunch break, a walking meeting, or an evening jog, find a way to get outside.
10. Plan your shoulder season trip
Give yourself something to look forward to during the grind of busy season. The anticipation of some time abroad is a great motivation to get through those long hours. So book a getaway for yourself to your favorite destinations (or better yet, someplace new)! You deserve it!
Add comment