1. Accept that life is an eternal work in progress. It is not supposed to
be all done. This goes for life in general, but especially around the
holidays. Let go of perfectionism and the need to do everything on your
lists. Each day, take a breather to reflect on your accomplishments and feel
proud.
2. Know when you have done enough. Many of us are overachievers when it
comes to holiday preparation, household chores, work responsibilities, or
all three. Ease up on yourself this year and use the added time to celebrate
or relax. Working two hours late at the office is not REALLY necessary;
family and friends will do fine with smaller tins of fresh-baked cookies;
it's OK if your floors are less than pristine.
3. Share the workload. Rethink your tendency to do everything for
everyone. Be creative in thinking how routine tasks can be completed
differently. The drudgery of housework can become quality family time, for
example. A woman recently shared how proud her son was to do his first load
of laundry, start to finish.
4. Understand what activities are important to you. December can become
so crowded with activities it is easy to become overwhelmed. The solution is
to prioritize according to what's important to YOU. If seeing your
daughter's school play is what matters most on a particular day, then put
that ahead of all else. Most other responsibilities can wait until another
day.
5. Focus on gratitude. Instead of obsessing over what needs to be done,
be grateful for what you already have. When you consciously express positive
and emotional appreciation, you attract more feelings of contentment and
peacefulness. This will create positive change in both your personal and
work life.
6. Consciously direct your reactions. Happiness is a choice. Finding the
positive--delight, excitement, and contentment--in everything you do will
change the outcome of each day. Work tasks, for example, will go by quicker
and you will be in a more lighthearted mood afterward.
7. Organize your whole life, not just work, with a holistic planner.
Buy
a planner that includes other aspects of your life besides work. Home,
health, and spirit/soul are all critical for your complete happiness. By
using a day planner that recognizes this, you allow yourself to better enjoy
both work and personal life.
Take these tips to heart and you will be better equipped to live each day
to its fullest, even through the hustle and bustle of December!
About the Author
Bobette Kyle is cofounder of Daysteps LLC, where the company's
holistic day planner for women encompasses many key aspects of life and
helps you feel calm and capable about becoming the person you want to be.
Learn more about the Personal Lifestyle Planner at
http://www.daysteps.com .
