Happy circle-back season, to those who celebrate

The vacations are approaching, and out of the blue everybody’s scrambling to wrap up initiatives earlier than taking a break. What needs to be a time for winding down and vacation events turns into a dash to the end line, bringing a calendar stuffed with conferences, shifting priorities, an overflowing inbox, and a voice in your head whispering, “only one final e-mail earlier than you sign off…” 

That’s when mounting stress offers option to the stark realization that you just’re working out of time, and we begin to hear a well-recognized phrase: 

“Let’s circle again on that subsequent 12 months.”

Because the end-of-year crunch quick approaches, Atlassian partnered with YouGov to survey 6,000 data staff throughout six nations (US, France, Germany, UK, India, Australia) to unpack the circle-back phenomenon.

Why do groups circle again?

The tip-of-year scramble might be powerful on everybody, and our analysis reveals that “circling again” has develop into a collective coping mechanism. Sixty-eight % of data staff say a minimum of some initiatives will go unfinished, with shifting priorities (34%) and surprising challenges (32%) serving as the primary explanation why. 

Avoiding burnout is a giant motivator too, however one particular person’s blessing is one other’s burden. Whereas 18% of data staff push initiatives again and decide them up within the new 12 months to keep away from year-end burnout, 22% say they keep away from these sorts of delays to make sure a lighter January workload. 

But staff appear to be lacking a much bigger alternative. What if as a substitute of scrambling to finish a laundry record of duties, we use this as a chance to judge what actually issues?

Circling again or spinning wheels?

For a lot of, the notion of “circling again” brings a misleading feeling of reduction. However pushing out initiatives – whereas an inevitable actuality for some gadgets within the December sprint – won’t outcome within the meant consequence. When it comes time to really circle again, a mere 26% really feel assured they’ll simply resume postponed initiatives within the new 12 months.

Most staff have one of the best intentions for selecting up their stalled initiatives, nevertheless it’s more durable than it sounds. Who can keep in mind an essential motion merchandise shared verbally in a one-off assembly from final 12 months? Or a small however mission-critical piece of shopper suggestions in an e-mail that’s now buried deep in your inbox?

With out documenting these selections and contact factors, groups work gradual at greatest and ill-informed at worst, or find yourself working quick on the mistaken priorities. And people duties left on the again burner in December can rapidly begin to really feel overwhelming in January, resulting in delays – or worse, initiatives that drop solely.

When essential initiatives fall off the radar, it not solely disrupts the circulation of labor, but in addition negatively impacts crew belief and accountability. Immediately your December sprint turns into wasted output for your complete crew.

Circling again(wards)

It’s onerous to select again up the place you left off. A part of the issue is that staff are inclined to say they may circle again on EVERYTHING this time of 12 months, as a substitute of utilizing it as a chance to get tremendous clear in your crew’s priorities and lifelike about what does (or doesn’t) transfer the needle.

Some initiatives battle to regain momentum after the vacation as a result of they don’t have a huge impact in the long term. These initiatives can really feel tedious – we frequently name them “zombie initiatives” – technically “alive,” however failing to progress, draining assets and morale. The truth is that it is perhaps time to scrap these zombie initiatives altogether. And that’s okay! The tip of 12 months is a superb time to reevaluate your priorities, get clear on what issues, and are available again ready to make a significant impression with nice focus (simply be certain that your crew is aware of you’re scrapping it, too!).

So what about postponed initiatives that are mission-critical and price circling again on? There are methods to set your self up for achievement so your future self will thanks.

Disrupting the spin cycle

A bit time getting organized now could make a giant distinction within the new 12 months. To choose up the place you left off, groups must doc their essential work, together with up-to-date statuses and easy-to-find sources of fact with essential context about every challenge.

These data sharing practices – usually referred to as asynchronous work – not solely allow you to decide up the place you left off, however make it simpler to disconnect understanding your crew has what they should transfer work ahead with out you. That is particularly helpful in the course of the vacation season, when mismatched PTO schedules, competing priorities, and fluctuating power ranges could make it powerful to coordinate, risking delays or stalled progress. And nobody needs to be on the receiving finish of an offended ping asking the place one thing is whereas on a vacation break.

Strive these async work practices this circle-back season so your crew can decide up proper the place it left off in 2025:

• Seize context now for readability post-holidays: Async work requires clearly documenting progress, selections, and subsequent steps in accessible codecs like written paperwork, movies, or voice notes. Earlier than you head out on PTO, publish a Confluence web page (try this OOO plan template) or report a Loom video that gives updates, steered subsequent steps, and context so crew members could make progress when you’re out. Doing so means you may disconnect understanding you set your crew – and your future self – up for achievement.
• Time is of the essence, so assume async first: When the stress to finish initiatives mounts, it’s simple to default to scheduling a gathering. However conferences are time-consuming, and infrequently not as productive as meant. Earlier than scheduling a gathering (or accepting one!), take into consideration what you’re actually attempting to perform. If it’s a standing replace, relaying data, or an FYI, hold it async and ship your teammate a Loom as a substitute.
• If it’s not price circling again on, scrap it now: Most individuals attempt to do too many issues directly, which slows them down and lowers the standard of their work. Use this second to let go of low-impact initiatives and give attention to the work that really issues. For duties deemed circlebackable, replicate the brand new deadline in your planning pages, Jira tickets, and shared calendars so everyone seems to be on the identical web page.
• Be lifelike about your calendar: Because the 12 months’s finish approaches, timebox your calendar to ensure you have sufficient focus time to get your most essential work performed. Decide a number of essential issues to see over the end line (quite than attempting make slightly progress on all the pieces).

New 12 months’s decision: Work on what actually issues

Whereas this time of 12 months can really feel overwhelming, it’s additionally a chance for a contemporary begin. The start of the 12 months is a superb time to reevaluate your priorities, set new intentions, and get reenergized about your work.

If groups can change their mindset, they’ll flip the chaotic year-end rush and sluggish begin to the brand new 12 months right into a seamless circulation of extremely efficient teamwork. Breaking the circle-back cycle might be difficult, however the rewards – renewed focus, a smoother transition into the brand new 12 months, and larger impression on crew targets – are properly price it.

Go to the Atlassian Group to participate within the circle-back problem!