Holidays and vacations provide us with many benefits.  However, maintaining momentum can be difficult during these times.  There are more than the normal level of distractions, along with a need to relax at least a little.  Fortunately, we can take small steps and keep our forward progress without taking much away from our time off.

A Pause Is Ok

While this episode focuses on how to maintain momentum and habits, that is not a requirement.  We can afford to put our drive for success on pause for a few weeks.  That is why we keep a focus throughout the year.  It allows us to take some time off and still see substantial progress each year.  However, it is worth looking at ways to keep these desired goals advancing.

Adjusting Priorities Is Key For Maintaining Momentum

Our priorities and schedules are the most substantial obstacle to keeping that forward progress.  Likewise, the random distractions that seem more prevalent during the holidays make it easy to skip a day of progress.  The best way to plan for these unplanned events is to get the key things done early.  Push the tasks you want to continue to early in the day.  You might even start your day with these items.  That gives you a bonus of feeling accomplished even on a day off.

Time Adjustments

Nearly everyone sleeps in during the holidays.  Use this to your advantage.  Plan to get up fifteen or thirty minutes earlier than others.  Alternatively, maintain your normal sleep schedule.  This approach is both healthy and gives you some valuable quiet time to start the day.  I find these times relaxing, refreshing, and something to look forward to throughout the year.  As a bonus, it is very satisfying to know you got something done before most people got out of bed.

Rob Broadhead

Rob is a founder of, and frequent contributor to, Develpreneur. This includes the Building Better Developers podcast. He is also a lifetime learner as a developer, designer, and manager of software solutions. Rob is the founder of RB Consulting and has managed to author a book about his family experiences and a few about becoming a better developer. In his free time, he stays busy raising five children (although they have grown into adults). When he has a chance to breathe, he is on the ice playing hockey to relax or working on his ballroom dance skills.

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