The smartest move you can make in the end-of-year work rush (Hint: It’s not what you think)

As we push through the last stretch of the year, many of us are caught in a relentless “rush, rush, rush, busy, busy, busy” cycle. There’s the pressure to tick every box, meet every deadline, and make it through the end of the year in one piece. But, as tempting as it is to just power through, fuelled by sheer determination, here’s the irony: this frantic pace could be costing you valuable time.

Right now, many people feel stretched, overworked, and just plain exhausted. And when we’re not at our best, our communication inevitably suffers. Tolerance wears thin, tempers get short, and we’re more likely to jump to conclusions, misinterpret messages, and make assumptions. These moments—the ones we feel we simply don’t have time to communicate well—are precisely the times when good communication is most critical.

The solution? Slow down to go fast.

“But I don’t have time,” you might be thinking. I’d argue you don’t have time not to. And to be clear: By “slow down,” I’m not suggesting adding extra tasks to your calendar, forgetting about your deadlines, or squeezing in more meetings. It’s about pausing—just briefly—to self-regulate and communicate thoughtfully, ensuring that what you say is clear, accurate, and aligned with your intentions. This small pause can save time and stress by reducing misunderstandings, unnecessary conflicts, and mismatched expectations.

Here’s why slowing down can help you go faster in the long run.

Self-regulation prevents costly communication missteps

Taking a moment to breathe and regulate your emotions can help you shift from the rush to react and respond. When we’re frazzled, it’s easy to snap, overlook details, or miss important nuances. Quick reactions might feel efficient at the moment, but they often lead to more headaches down the line. A well-timed pause allows you to respond thoughtfully, not impulsively.

Clear communication now prevents messy fix-ups later

In the rush to get things done, we can fall into the trap of unclear communication by leaving out key details, making vague requests, or failing to set realistic expectations. But those few minutes you save by rushing through a conversation often come back to bite you, with time spent sorting out misunderstandings later. Slowing down to communicate clearly and accurately can prevent these time-wasters.

Intentional connection reduces stress and builds trust

When people feel tired and overstretched, small moments of connection can have a powerful impact. Taking time to check in genuinely with your team or colleagues can boost morale, strengthen connections, and increase tolerance and patience. A small investment in connection, even a minute or two, can save a lot of time by fostering goodwill, trust, and smoother collaboration.

Setting expectations reduces frustrations

Clear expectations are like roadmaps: They prevent people from taking wrong turns, veering off-course, or crashing into each other. By slowing down to set realistic, explicit expectations about what “done well” looks like to you, you empower others to deliver their best without unnecessary stress or second-guessing.

As we barrel towards the end of the year, consider this: You don’t have time to not communicate well. A few extra minutes spent on intentional, clear communication now can save you from far greater headaches down the line.

So, as the pressure mounts and the to-do lists grow, challenge yourself to press pause. Breathe. Get clear on your message. Communicate it calmly and accurately. In doing so, you’ll find yourself and those around you moving faster and more effectively, and ending the year with more energy left in the tank.