Three Ways to Bounce Back from Your Less Than Stellar Office Holiday Party Behavior
Picture it. Then again, you may not want to. It’s the annual company holiday bash and one drink, two drinks, three drinks, floor!
Yes, we’re talking about getting a little too tipsy to recall details of the night the next day. Ode to social media, there’s an online footprint on Instagram and Facebook to remind you of your previous night’s escapades. (You can thank your picture happy colleagues for that.)
Anyway, so you’ve had too much to drink and perhaps said and did things you regret (dancing on the tables, anyone?). There are a few ways to bounce back. Yes, it can be done.
1. Address the elephant in the room. Whether your bash was on a weeknight or on a Friday night, you still have to face the music whether it’s a Friday or Monday morning. Hold that head up high and address the matter. If everyone’s going to be talking behind your back anyway, might as well beat them to the punch.
Go ahead and feel free to say something like, “Yeah, that was my alter ego last night. I try to keep her at bay but sometimes after a few drinks, she gets unleashed! I apologize if I offended you with my behavior. It won’t happen again, believe me I learned my lesson.”
2. Watch your behavior at the next company function. If your company has more than one holiday outing such as one for clients and then another one for your department and a smaller luncheon for your immediate group, listen up. You can redeem yourself and that comes along with being extremely cognizant of your behavior.
We’re not saying to not have fun and we’re not saying you don’t have to order a drink when everyone else is, we’re just saying to proceed with caution. Slow down. The more you demonstrate this type of behavior instead of the lampshade on the head, dancing on tables kind of partier, the better. You’ll be taken more seriously for starters and secondly, people will begin to forget about your recent mishap.
3. Forgive yourself. Yes, these things happen. Just wait until next year’s party when you see someone else over-indulging.
You’re only human. Although you’re likely seeking a pass from your boss and colleagues, why not also seek forgiveness from yourself? You learned your lesson and you’re moving on. And while you’re at it, it doesn’t hurt to untag yourself in unflattering photos or even go so far to ask the person who posted them to remove them.
Maybe it’s a good thing social media is alive and well — all the more reason to be reluctant to let your hair down completely at the next shindig.
