Use these 7 strategies to activate your power of perspective to have a peaceful, joyful, and fulfilling holiday season.
My goodness the holiday season is quickly approaching. Doesn’t it seem like we just said Happy New Year two months ago?! As we approach this busy and often overwhelming season for many, I want to share some strategies to help you use your power to focus on the true gifts. Gifts you can receive as well as give.
The fact is, everyone doesn’t approach the holiday season with excitement and vigor. This time of year can mean extended working hours, report deadlines, a reminder of missing loved ones, of feeling like giving doesn’t matter unless it’s financial, and dreading being around people that you simply would prefer not to.
Inc. Magazine shares in an article that employees are 70% more stressed during the holidays. Similarly, you too, may also look back over the prior 10 months and feel discouraged that you didn’t reach your goals, and begin to count all the reasons/excuses/thoughts that you didn’t.
The great news is that you are still here! Yes, if you are reading this message then that means you have the opportunity to keep going. You might be saying, “You just don’t know how tough it’s been” and you are right, I probably don’t. Here’s what I do know for sure: You have the power to change your perspective and not beat yourself up. Indeed, you should take evaluation on your year so that you can make the necessary adjustments to improve. Allowing your negative self-talk to belittle you and beating yourself up over what didn’t happen and who didn’t support and who wronged you will not add value to you. It only serves to send you into a deeper, darker black hole.
Are you ready? Let’s do this…
Use these 7 strategies to activate your power of perspective to have a peaceful, joyful and fulfilling holiday season:
1. Use your ‘no’ when needed. Guilt free!
2. Be intentional about your time. Don’t forget to carve out time to do NOTHING!
3. Allow yourself some intentional downtime for self-care. Move self-care to the top of the to-do!
4. Know that sticking to traditions is not required. Have fun and create some new paths!
5. Create a budget and stick to it. Don’t trying proving your worth by going broke!
6. Set necessary boundaries with family and friends. Know that you have the right to do so!
7. Don’t be forced into a quick answer. If you need time to decide something, take it!
This is not a perfect strategy because the perfect strategy does not exist. Above all else, you must remember to use your power and not simply give it to others to “handle” your holiday season for you. That’s a different article on how we sometimes set ourselves up for disappointment. Deep breath in and in the words of my favorite yoga instructor, Pamela Nelms-Martin – “blow that sh&%@ out”!
These strategies can also be used to help you develop the balanced rhythm that you desire!
Action item: Hit me back and tell me one of your favorite things to do during the holiday season. This might give me some new ideas for #4.
I’m extending you HOPE for a POWERFUL holiday season ahead!!
P.S. If you missed it, I shared about missing that consistency piece in my last blog post!
