How to Be Productive at Work This Thanksgiving Week

OK, admit it: You’re really not in a working mood this week. After all, the great American holiday of Thanksgiving is just three short days away, and there is no shortage of related items to distract you between now and then. For example:

• How early your boss will let you leave the office Wednesday
• Where you’re flying for the long weekend
• Who’s coming to dinner and which long-lost second cousin you’ll have to be polite to this year
• How many extra helpings of stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce you’ll manage to stuff down on Thursday afternoon
• Who’s playing in the Turkey Day football games
• Whether those Friday shopping bargains are really worth rising before dawn and waiting in extra-long lines to cash in on.

But here’s the good news: You’re not alone. Your coworkers and colleagues around the country would similarly prefer to skip the standing team meeting or put off writing that report or proposal for at least a few more days.

But it’s precisely because nobody else wants to be working all that hard that you have the chance to make this one of your most productive weeks of the year. Here’s why:

• Mark my words: Some of those scheduled meetings you have in the next couple of days will be cancelled. Use the newfound free time to wrap up a bugaboo project -- one that has never been at the absolute top of the priority list but that will have you feeling much better once it’s done. 


• When we’re at work but don’t actually want to do the work we’re supposed to be doing, we like to chit-chat. Why not turn the nation’s collective gregariousness this week into your own gain by scheduling a networking phone call or lunch? You’re ensured of having some lively -- and fruitful -- discussions that just might lead to new business partnerships or job opportunities.


• You’ll stand out from the crowd.  If you spend the next few days getting organized and cranking through all of your assignments while your coworkers resort to goofing off, who do you think will be sitting pretty in the eyes of your boss come next Monday morning?

So don’t allow the visions of Thanksgiving Day delights to dance too loudly in your head, and stay focused right through Wednesday afternoon. The turkey will still taste just as good on Thursday.

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