With the holidays approaching, work might be the last thing on your mind. But staying on top of your work is key as the end of the year looms and annual reviews quickly approaches. Set yourself up to wrap up the year successfully with some of our tips to stay ahead at work during the holiday season.

Make a List + Check it Twice

Do you know what you need to finish before January 1st? With the excitement of the holidays, it can be easy for these things to slip your mind. This can lead to sudden panic when you realize something didn't get done. Prevent this by creating a list of everything you need to wrap up either for the week, for the year, or before vacation and review it regularly.

Know Your Schedule 

One easy way to stay ahead at work this holiday season is to know your schedule and plan for it. Does your office close the week between Christmas and New Year's? Are you taking off extra days for a family gathering? Know what these dates are ahead of time and plan for them. Coordinate with your coworkers to make sure all major projects get accomplished. By doing this, you'll have a solid idea of what you need to get done and the time-frame you have to do it.

Prepare for Ahead of Time

Most of us will be taking some time off during the holiday, whether it’s two days or two weeks. Make coming back from this time off easier by preparing ahead of time everything you'll need in your first few days back. Will your annual review take place a few days after your return? Prepare everything you'll want to have for this before you head out. Big presentation coming up? Create your outline and get a head start on it before you get deep into the holidays.

Enjoy the Season

Finally, make sure you make time to enjoy the season. This can be anything from doing an office Secret Santa to taking an extra day off to spend time with your family and friends. By planning ahead with some of these tips, you'll set yourself not only up for a successful end to the year, but also be able to enjoy the season without the stress of work on your mind.

How do you stay ahead at work during the holidays?