Tết Is Coming. Strategies To Handle Holiday's Click-Off Effect

When Tet approaches, peach and apricot blossoms can be seen everywhere on the way commuting to work. It’s tough to stay focused on the mountain of unfinished tasks. The spirit of Tet seems to seep into our minds, creating a hazy blend of wanting to work yet becoming unable to complete anything. This feeling has a name. Do you know what it's called? 

Table of Contents:

1. What is "Holiday Click-Off"?

2. Different generations' reaction towards holiday click-off

3. Negative impacts of holiday click-off on overall productivity

4. Effective strategies to mitigate the holiday click-off effect

1. What is "Holiday Click-Off"?

Holiday click-off describes the familiar restlessness that kicks in earlier than expected. It’s a rush of excitement and anticipation that builds as the holiday approaches, leading to a noticeable dip in work performance. This emotional surge disrupts the balance between feelings and logic, making it hard to focus and often resulting in procrastination and a sluggish mind. 

You might have witnessed this phenomenon within your team before: one moment they’re diligently working, and the next, they’re distracted by holiday plans or social media, where they get bombarded by festive news and funny memes.

This is a prime example of Holiday Click-off. TRG is here to help shed light on struggles and offer strategies to combat pre-holiday laziness. 

Read more: Aspects of a Team that Leaders Need to be Aware of

2. Different generations' reaction towards holiday click-off

Interestingly, a survey by Peakon of 12,000 office workers in the US, UK, and Germany revealed similar trends. More than 50% of American employees began to lose focus around December 15-16, right before the Christmas and New Year holidays.

British workers managed to stay engaged a bit longer but also experienced a decline starting December 18. The survey also highlighted that younger employees, particularly Gen Z, tend to switch into relaxation mode earlier than their older colleagues. As team leaders, it's essential to recognise these differences in engagement levels and tailor your approach accordingly. 

Read more: Avoid These Mistakes When You Are Managing Gen Z Employees

3. Negative impacts of holiday click-off on overall productivity

The implications of holiday click-off are as predictable as the annual struggle to navigate long queues at any train station or airport during the holiday peak. Firstly, productivity may tank faster and higher than ever as team members rush to get the tasks done before the holiday.

Then, meetings turn into an exercise of patience as everyone’s mind drifts to what they’ll wear for the endless parties. Work emails have not been opened, but their brain is already open to new ideas for home Tet decorations.

Furthermore, the sudden drop in productivity can lead to:  

• Team dysfunction: When one person clicks off, it’s like a chain reaction. Suddenly, half the team is daydreaming about fireworks and parties while the other half rants about unfinished projects, creating a storm of chaos. 
• Increased stress: Sometimes, employees momentarily switch off and think about, “Why not relax, putting tasks aside? Tet is just around the corner.” Then deadlines loom and the pressure to catch up post-holiday becomes unbearable. Finally, everyone may end up burning out before the parties even start. 
• Mistakes and errors: Every hint of Tet captures employees' attention—whether it's the festive music playing in the supermarket, the vibrant red and yellow blossoms lining the streets, or the flood of Tet memes on social media—they hardly put 100% concentration on tasks, thus increasing the potential of making mistakes. 

Read more: Sustainable Growth and Higher Team Performance Start Here

4. Effective strategies to mitigate the holiday click-off effect

Every seasoned office worker has likely experienced this holiday click-off at least once. As Tet draws near amidst a flurry of unfinished tasks, even team leaders and bosses can find themselves grappling with the urge to neglect their work.

Recognising the need for a mental break can be a vital step toward returning to work with a more positive and productive mindset. Honestly, the responsibility lies mostly with the team leaders. Here are some strategies to help your team stay focused and productive.

By being proactive and supportive, team leaders can help their teammates overcome the holiday slump, mitigating the click-off effects, and ensuring a more productive and enjoyable lead-up to the holidays.