7 Ways to Support Your Team During December (Without Burning Yourself Out)
December tends to bring a lot at once. Client emotions are heavier, schedules shift constantly, your team is juggling their own families and obligations, and everyone’s capacity shrinks a little. It’s a lot to carry — for you and for them.
I don’t know about you but when I get overwhelmed or am stressed beyond words, I like to sing a little song by DMX called Party Up (Up In Here)… really just the chorus over and over…and over. 🎧🎵 “Y’all gon’ make me lose my mind” (I may or may not sing it to my kids, too. IYKYK) It just helps me push through the chaos.
Supporting your team this month doesn’t require elaborate gestures, extra work, or singing obsessively to yourself. It requires clarity, structure, and being intentional about how the practice runs during a busy season. Here are seven ways to do that without running yourself into the ground.
1. Get Ahead Of Expectations
Nothing creates more stress than everyone trying to guess what’s supposed to happen and when. Make sure your team knows:
Office closures
Coverage plans
Adjusted deadlines
Any temporary schedule or policy changes
Nobody likes an over-communicator, but this isn’t over-communicating, this is proactively removing confusion before it starts.
2. Respect Every Holiday, Not Just The Loudest One
Your team doesn’t all observe the same holidays. (Neither do your clients, for that matter.) Make space for all beliefs, cultures, and traditions in a straightforward, inclusive way:
Confirm PTO early
Stay flexible where you can
Don’t assume everyone wants to participate in holiday-themed activities
Keep a shared calendar of December holidays and PTO so nothing gets overlooked
People notice when their traditions matter.
3. Cut Back Instead Of Adding More
Your team doesn’t need extra meetings, themed tasks, or “fun” projects added to an already full month - especially if they’re being “volun-told” to do it. Support them by narrowing the focus:
Shorter meetings
Clear priorities
Delaying nonessential work until January
A lighter load is often the best gift you can offer. Frankly, this should also be happening year round, too.
4. Show Appreciation In Ways That Feel Real
You don’t need to plan anything extravagant. Nix the branded swag (unless your team will actually use/wear it). TBH, most people just want:
A manageable schedule
A simple thank-you (verbal or card form - just make it intentional and thoughtful)
Personal time
Something small but thoughtful
Meaningful doesn’t have to mean complicated (or expensive).
5. Strengthen Your Internal Structure So The Team Isn’t Moonlighting as Firefighters
Okay, not actual firefighters but they shouldn’t be putting out business fires either. A lot of December stress comes from missing systems, not people slacking off. Help your team by making sure they have what they need to operate smoothly:
Clear SOPs
A defined process for cancellations and rescheduling
Delegated responsibilities
A reliable communication plan
The more structure you have, the fewer surprises land on your team… and you.
6. Be Honest About Capacity
Everyone’s bandwidth shifts in December, including yours. Set the tone by being realistic about what can truly get done:
Move ALL nonessential projects into January… seriously, do it.
Align expectations with actual capacity. Don’t gaslight yourself into thinking you can complete 500 unlocked notes in one week.
Remind the team (and yourself) that it’s okay to scale back.
Clarity always beats pretending everything is “business as usual.”
7. Give Space For People To Take Care Of Themselves
Therapists absorb a lot from clients - this time of year especially. You and your team need room to decompress and take care of your own lives, too.
Support them (and yourself) by:
Encouraging planned mental-health days
Minimizing unnecessary communication
Checking in individually
Protecting their time when possible
A supported team does better work — and doesn’t burn out by mid-December.
And remember, yes this is a reminder for December but every single item on this page should be implemented year-round! ♥️
You Don’t Have To Carry December Alone
If this month consistently feels overwhelming, it’s usually a sign that your systems need more support — not that you need to work harder.
Boss Co helps practice owners build the kind of operational structure that keeps things steady, even during heavy seasons. When your foundations are strong, December stops feeling out of control and starts feeling manageable.
If you’re ready for that kind of support, we’re here.
