It never fails, right about this time of year I feel my shoulders start creeping up to my ears as my to-do list grows ever longer.
The happiest time of year can also be the bizziest and most stressful time of year, don’t you agree?
Your work is still there and may even be more intense than ever. Can you say end of year processes and practices, PLUS teeing up the New Year so you can get off to a great start? PLUS you probably have a TON to be DONE in relation to the holidays. You may have family or friends coming in to stay with you or you may be traveling to them, you’ve got gifts to buy, and food to prepare.
Suffice it to say, you miiiight be suffering from a smidge of overwhelm-itus. If so, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. Just remember, you’re fooling yourself if you think you can separate professional and personal responsibilities.
You’ve likely heard me say this a time or ten, but work-life balance – for me at least – goes in the same category with Sasquatch and the Lochness Monster. I’m not saying they don’t exist; it’s just I’ll believe it when I see it.
I preach focusing on work-life integration. Don’t even try to compartmentalize your life. All areas are interwoven, and you might as well accept it.
So here are some tips that I’ve found to be helpful in navigating – and actually enjoying the holiday season. Oh, and BTW, these tips can apply any time that you feel your shoulders creeping up to your ears.
1. Do a brain dump. List out ALL the things that need to be done. Just get them all out on paper. Yes, professional, and personal.
2. Ask yourself these questions:Does it HAVE to be done by ME?Does it HAVE to be done NOW?Does it HAVE to be done in a certain WAY?Does it HAVE to be done AT ALL?
3. Prioritize. Of the things that need to be done by you, (and are you certain that they really HAVE to be done by you?) think about what is truly THE most important thing that you need to do right now. Do it. Lather, rinse, repeat.
4. Take advantage of modern conveniences. Bring store-bought cookies, use meal delivery services and curbside pickup for groceries and other necessities.
5. Delegate. If this is tough for you, you just need to get over yourself. Accept that a.) You can’t do it all, and b.) Someone may actually be able to do it better than you. Gasp!
Look at the task and the people who might be able to help and match up the two. Give explicit instructions and even training if necessary and let them roll with it. Monitor, follow up, and give feedback. Boom! That’s my delegating workshop encapsulated in a couple of sentences, but it’s really not as difficult as you’re making it out to be.
6. Be flexible. I used to have a sticky note on my desk that read “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.” The pandemic sure gave new meaning to not holding on to plans and traditions too tightly.
7. Re-evaluate traditions. Do you really have to do them all, every year? I remember the year we had a 4- year-old and a one-year-old. Start a tradition of going to a tree farm and cutting down your own Christmas tree, they said. It’ll be a lifelong memory for the kids, they said. So, we drove about 2 hours out to the boonies to cut down said Christmas tree. Well, it was all fun and games until the baby got stung by a bee. Did I mention that we were out in the boonies? Some kind strangers gave us ice to put on his sting and we loaded their butts in the car never to attempt cutting down our Christmas tree again. Oh, I know some people love that tradition. And to them I say, “Rock on with yo bad self.” That’s one tradition I crossed off my list forever.
8. Breathe. Sometimes we forget to do this, but it’s hugely important. Reframe how you’re thinking about the situation and remember that when your brain perceives something as a problem, it actually releases hormones that cause you MORE stress. “This is not a problem, it’s an opportunity.” Keep repeating that as you practice deep breathing exercises and apply the previous five techniques.
“We teach best what we most need to learn.” There’s a good bit of wisdom in that quote. Lest you think that I’ve mastered overwhelm-itus, I confess that I still have to deal with it from time to time.
I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday season, filled with joy and peace.
And if you’d like a guide on the side to help re-energize you or your team, let’s talk! Go to JenniferLedet.com and schedule your complimentary discovery call with me today.
