Battling end-year fatigue at work? Career coach shares how to manage it and remain productive

As 2025 draws to a close, many people are finding themselves running on fumes.

The last ten months have been a whirlwind of deadlines, meetings, reports, proposals, and endless emails and that’s just the work side of life. 

Add in family responsibilities, rising costs of living, and school exams for the kids, and it’s no surprise that many people are simply exhausted - I am exhausted.

The end-year fatigue is real, and according to career coach Eunice Victoria, it’s also deeply psychological.

 “By the time November comes around, most people are mentally checked out,” she says.

“There’s this festive energy in the air, people are counting down to December, planning to visit their parents or take a break but work still has to go on. Someone employed you to achieve something, so the least you can do is plan wisely before switching off.”

Victoria emphasizes that one of the most important steps employees can take is to plan their leave early.

“Your leave should be approved in good time. By now, everyone should already know when they’ll be off,” she advises.

“And while you’re at it, respect company policy. The organization must continue to run even as you rest. Remember, you still want a workplace to come back to in January.”

She adds that it is important to plan your day since it can help you reduce anxiety and improve your productivity. 

"It is a great way to start your day with a positive mindset. Knowing what your day involves will help make it easier to focus on your priorities and to help you minimise distractions," she says. 

For employers and managers, she cautions against overwhelming teams with new or demanding projects towards the year’s end. 

 “Try not to bring in too much tasky work like developing next year’s strategies in December. It’s better to schedule such discussions for a time when people are fresh and motivated,” she says.

Victoria also stresses the importance of being mentally present during the final stretch. “We’re all excited for Christmas, but remain focused and committed until the very end. Your presence at work still matters.”

For those who feel completely burnt out but haven’t been granted leave, Victoria’s advice is simple: communicate and seek help.

“If you’re overwhelmed, talk to your supervisor. If you truly can’t function, remember mental exhaustion is real take a break. Don’t suffer in silence.”

Finally, she urges managers to show empathy. “Your employees have been working hard all year. Even if you’re chasing targets, remember they’re human. Allow them to recharge, you’ll get better results when they return.”

As the year winds down, Victoria’s message is clear: plan, communicate, and be kind both to yourself and to those you work with.