photo credit:craige via flickr
The Holiday Panic
I can already see the holiday panic in my fellow business owners. If it’s not about making their December sales,it’s how to get it all done –grow their business,manage their daily stuff and don’t forget the holiday decorations.
If you’re not juggling a business on top of the holidays,you might be juggling the health of a parent or a recent job transition (good or bad). Whatever you have going on,there are still only 24 hours in a day. It feels like something always slips through the cracks.
The Brain Dump
The secret to enjoying the holidays is to take a few minutes and write down your priorities. When you’re in panic/doing mode everything seems important. I do an activity with clients called the Brain Dump. They spend 20-30 minutes or more emptying all the swirling to dos in their and brain onto a sheet of paper or two. I have them write down everything.
At the end of the Brain Dump,they go back and prioritize what’s important and when it needs to get done. During the holidays,at first,everything feels like it needs to be done today. Thus the rushed and harried feeling. Going through this exercise helps put things into perspective. You realize you can’t wrap the presents before you bought them. You can’t send the holiday cards until you write them out.
Getting Rid of To Do Gnats
What also happens during the prioritization process is those little to do gnats that constantly buzz in your ear become insignificant and go away. For example,a friend of mine kept reminding herself to get stamps. All day long she would remind herself not to forget the stamps. Needless to say when we did this activity,she realized she actually picked up the stamps a while ago. That to do gnat was left over. When she crossed of off her list,you could visibly see the relief in her body.
You can do your own Brain Dump. All you need is 20 minutes of quiet time,a pen and a piece of paper (your computer or iPad will do too). Make your list. Prioritize it. Then take action. You’ll feel 100 times better.
Got other ideas on how to enjoy the holidays? Love to hear them.
Jen Vondenbrink is a business life coach who helps small businesses put the systems in place to grow while still finding time to enjoy life. She 
Hi Jen! In stressful times,it’s important (maybe even moreso than in non-stressful times…what are those??),to keep as faithful as possible to your regular self-care routine –exercise,sleep times,eating well,hydrating. Suggestions?
-Have soup (homemade,or canned in a pinch)and salad on hand for a quick-fix meal. Fruit and nuts are a healthy,quick and easy snack.
-Keep a jug of water filled and bring it with you wherever you go (shopping is very dehydrating!).
-Block off at least one night a week for “nothing.”
-Get up and get moving,whether that’s a short walk outside,on the treadmill or quick trip to the gym. Starting the day with exercise is invigorating and clears the head so you are fresh to jump into all those activities!
That’s it. Now,off to follow my own advice!
xo Debra