Smart Cookie Newsletter - Issue #14

The Power of Focus: Turning Busy Holidays into Breakthroughs

Author

Jimmy MacMillan
November 11th, 2025

The Power of Focus: Turning Busy Holidays into Breakthroughs

Dear Bakery Owner,

Every holiday season, your bakery transforms into a whirlwind—the phones ring nonstop, orders stack up, the ovens burn late, and you’re busier than ever. Some business owners dread the chaos, but here’s a powerful truth: the busiest times are the best opportunities to spot what truly needs fixing. When you’re under pressure, the cracks in your systems reveal themselves, and clarity emerges about what’s working and what isn’t.

This is when you gain the clearest view into your bakery’s real bottlenecks—because busy times push every part of your business to its limits. Seize this unique opportunity to fortify your business for the long term.

Why Holidays Reveal Breakthrough Opportunities

  • Stress tests expose reality. When your team is stretched, recurring problems become impossible to hide. These are signals—pay attention to which processes break down or slow you down.

  • Daily routines get a sharper focus. Small inefficiencies in slow seasons turn into costly failures during peak rushes. What slows you now will stop you later unless addressed.

  • Team performance stands out. High volume reveals who thrives under pressure, who needs more support, and where communication breaks down.

The Power of Focus: More Laser, Less Scatter

In busy holiday times, it’s tempting to “do it all”—but excellence comes from doubling down on a few decisive actions. Set aside unrealistic “do everything” goals and put your energy into laser-focused improvement. Here’s how:

1. Prioritize One Systemic Fix at a Time
Pick the single pain point that’s causing the biggest drag—maybe it’s order tracking, inventory, a particular station, or communication at the morning shift change. Use your busiest weeks to observe, take notes, and draft a simple, immediate plan. Don’t try to fix five things at once. Win small, win early, and win often.

2. Use the Front Lines for Feedback
Your team knows where the frustrations live. Ask for daily feedback: “What was the hardest part of today? What’s taking the longest?” Gather these insights, keep a running log, and thank team members for calling out problems honestly.

3. Limit the Scope to What’s Controllable
Ignore the urge to overhaul everything. The best changes are often the simplest—a new label system for trays, pre-filling inventory sheets, a five-minute huddle instead of endless emails. Focus on solutions you can implement with the resources already at hand.

4. Set Clear Micro-Goals
Define what success looks like for the fix you’ve chosen. Instead of saying, “Let’s run more efficiently,” focus on “All holiday orders logged in the system by noon.” Tying goals to observable, short-term wins keeps everyone engaged and reduces overwhelm.

5. Make Celebrating Progress Visible
When something improves—even a little—shout it out. Share brief wins in daily huddles or on a whiteboard. Recognizing progress builds morale and momentum during the busiest stretches.

Simple Tips to Stay Focused During Holidays

  1. Hold 5-minute daily standups at the start of shifts—ask, “What’s today’s focus? What’s our biggest sticking point?”

  2. Write down the most significant problem you see this week and brainstorm three ways to make it 10% better before New Year’s—don’t aim for perfect.

  3. Keep a “holiday issues” logbook. Problems that show up under pressure are the systems to fix first in January.

  4. Assign a rotating “problem spotter” for each shift: their sole job is to flag breakdowns or slowdowns—no blame, just facts.

Remember, the magic of the holidays isn’t just in the sales or the hustle, but in the clarity that only this high-wire act provides. Use this season to sharpen your systems and your team’s focus. The small changes you make now will pay off in smoother, more profitable days ahead.

Here’s to thriving through the chaos, one laser-focused fix at a time.

Jimmy MacMillan

Principal Chef, Consultant, Successful Bakery

P.S. If you found this helpful, forward it to another bakery owner who could benefit from it. Growing together makes us all stronger.