The holiday season is upon us. It is the season of goodwill, charity, and togetherness. And with Thanksgiving just behind us, many people are gearing up for the “most wonderful time of the year!” But with the shopping that comes with this season, one thing inevitably follows: holiday music. Anywhere you go, it is impossible to escape the catchy tunes, the memory-rich stanzas, and the awkward times that come with you getting them stuck in your head at the office. At first, most of us are excited to play our favorite songs for this time of year, but by January, we’re ready to put them away in storage! So instead of getting frustrated by getting these yule-time melodies stuck in your head, use them to encourage you to finish the year strong with word associations.
Jingle Bells
This is a song that brings back so many memories. But there’s one line you can use to keep you motivated this quarter: “jingle all the way.” This line sets a mental image to continue strong, keep focused, yet stay light-hearted. As a manager, you need to make sure that your office doesn’t slow down with the holidays near. Use fun activities to encourage work flow and to ease the tension of year-end tasks. The balance of full-throttle and fun will help you end 2012 on a high note.
White Christmas
Admittedly, this one’s a stretch. But when this song gets in your head, it’s only a word away from being “White Paper.” This could help you remember to focus on research and planning. The key to great leaders is that they never stop learning. Read up on all of the informational items clients give you, research new and innovative ways to engage your workforce, and plan out the new year’s strategies on how to stay relevant in your market. When you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, make sure you’re also staying on top of the latest trends and focused on a more educated workforce.
All I Want for Christmas is You
It is impossible not to get this Mariah Carey song stuck in your head. And it is extremely embarrassing trying to hit those high notes while getting coffee next to your employees. So instead of losing all credibility with your team, use it as a reminder to pick one thing that is most important this December to accomplish and don’t lose sight of it. Whether a company-wide goal, a personal achievement, or managerial commitment to establishing a better company culture, staying focused on the “one thing” can help you get to where you want to be while avoiding the many distractions around you.
The Christmas Song
One important aspect of this season is all the memories that are associated with it. This song is the epitome of the aesthetics that come with the holidays. Smells, feelings, and sounds are all connected with this time of year and it is important to enjoy them. In the office, make sure you take time to reflect on the past year. Did you achieve your overall goals? How did you handle conflict when it arose? Is your company where you want it to be? Ask your team members to show you different aspects of the year you might have missed. Just like how we all have certain favorite holiday memories, share everyone’s favorite achievement of the year. Knowing where you’ve been will help you get to where you want to be.
This time of year is a wonderful chance to spread cheer and merriment, which is why we sing songs commemorating the season. But once those songs start getting redundant at your local retail mall while you’re in line for gifts, play this game with them. Associating them with some of your office issues might just be the kick your team needs this quarter to finish the year out with a bang.
What are some song associations that we missed? Let us know in the comment section below!
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