If you take nothing else on board from this article, acknowledge this: You are in more control over the holidays than you think.
You really are.
Yes, I know the holidays can be difficult.
We’re entering that familiar phase of added pressures: consumer pressures, social pressures, work pressures.
In fact, many people I know and work with don’t look forward to this time of year.
They see the holidays as a chaotic disruption, instead of a coveted period to relax, recharge, and enjoy.
I get it. Where’s the break?
Do the holidays turn you into a Seasonal Stressball?
If so, here’s what I want you to choose to do today: Don’t be that person!
Instead…
- Do the things that will keep you sane.
- Do the things things that will keep your business on track.
- Do the things that will make the holiday period more enjoyable for you and yours. …And at the same time prepare you to coast into the New Year ready for action.
Imagine starting the New Year feeling refreshed, organised and ready!
It’s completely doable, you’ll just need some strategy and a little forward planning. And importantly, you’ll need to give yourself permission to keep to your plan and not get whisked into the seasonal whirlwind.
So grab yourself an eggnog latte and run through the following steps to see where you can take back control and experience the end of the year on your terms!
A day- or week-at-a-glance can be deceiving. View your diary so you can see the month of December as a whole. It’s easier to plan realistically when you can see how much time you (don’t) really have.
At this point, you likely have quite a few commitments scheduled. And, hopefully, some free time still remains. This may sound outrageous, but draw a line under your diary as it is.
Meaning, consider your schedule ‘fully booked’ now, and resist adding anything else. I assure you, you’ll welcome the unscheduled breathing space. Plus, that built-in buffer is there for something fun and spontaneous, or if life or work throws you a curveball in the next few weeks.
Instead of postponing important tasks or an exciting new project until next year, why not get started now? Your peers and colleagues may be taking it easy, but that doesn’t mean you must follow suit.
Get organised. What important calls, appointments or meetings can you line up now so they’re ready for you in January? Don’t forget the menials …Is your accounting up-to-date? Could you clean up your digital files or update your contacts? Be ready for 2017.
Difficult to be productive if you’re bedraggled from too much merriment. By all means, enjoy yourself, ’tis the season after all. Just drop in a few fail-safe rules to ensure excess doesn’t get the better of you.
For instance, off to a few parties? Determine in advance how long you’ll stay, what time you’ll leave and stick to it. Go as far as to set a drink limit, mince pie limit, and the like.
Boring, you say? You’ll thank me later when you emerge from the holidays unscathed and everyone else looks like the Wreck of the Hesperus.
It’s been a year. Take a real break. Unplug. Recharge. …But don’t let everything come to a complete standstill. Anchor some healthy habits and routines during the holidays to keep yourself mentally and physically on track.
For instance maintain consistent sleep patterns. Keep to regular exercise – if necessary modify your usual regimen if travelling. Retain healthy habits and you’ll be grateful in the New Year when you don’t have to re-start from scratch.
P.S. Is your business or work life suffering because you’re overcommitted, disorganised and chaotic? If you’re ready to transition from chaos to clarity and control, I’d love to help you.
Let’s have a chat and make it happen in the New Year.
Call me on +44 (0) 7590 069 900, reply to this email …or schedule a call using my online scheduler here!
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