It is definitely no secret that things can become overwhelming in the lead up to the holiday season. What is meant to be a time of cheer, relaxation and anticipation, can often be a source of great stress for many.
How many of you feel like your to-do list is forever growing the closer it gets to the holiday break? ‘L.E.A.D.I.N.G’ into Christmas is something we encourage you to practise at this time to help you minimise stress and maximise enjoyment. So what does ‘L.E.A.D.I.N.G’ into Christmas entail? Find out below.
Leading is about taking personal responsibility and ownership for your actions, thoughts, feelings and choices. Below are a few tips to help you dive into the festive season stress-free:
L = Look for Gold
Instead of observing and catching others doing the wrong thing, try to bolster up your team when they are doing something right! The more closely we work with our team members, the more likely we are to pick up on and point out their mistakes and think to ourselves, “see, they did it again.” Instead, make a conscious decision to notice and comment on other people’s strengths. You never know, something as simple as noticing the positive qualities of your future mother-in-law may make your day!
E = Expectations
Keep them realistic! It is always expected that work builds up towards the end of the year. Set yourself and your team realistic goals that are manageable and achievable.
A = Ask
Try asking yourself: “What do I want to give? What do I want to enjoy? What do I want to learn?” By doing this and being clear on the answers, you are less likely to commit to projects that you don’t enjoy or wouldn’t learn from. If you end up not knowing what pleases you, all you will do is focus on pleasing others.
D = Decide for yourself
If you choose to commit to do something, then choose it wholeheartedly and resolve to yourself you will see it through. So in other words, if someone asks you to dance and you say “yes”, don’t just lightly sway on the dance floor, really move and boogie.
I = Instinct
When all else fails, ask yourself, “What is my heart really telling me?”. Instincts are your best fall-back, especially when emotions are high and the cognitive part of your brain has turned to mush!
N = No!
A short two letter word we all fear saying, yet is an important skill to learn. We often link saying “no” to inadequacy, consequence or argument, however gaining the confidence to say “no” helps to establish healthy boundaries. It seems paradoxical, but saying “no” strategically helps your career.
So when you feel there is a time when a task will hinder your ability to accomplish your responsibilities or doesn’t align with your long and short-term priorities, try getting the courage to say ‘no’ as it will provide you with the energy and time to focus on work that rewards you.
G = Gratitude
When all else fails, be grateful for what you have. There’s a quote by Helen Keller, “I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet”. Remember to be grateful for all the little things you have that matter, like having a big feast for Christmas or having the family all together celebrating.
By L.E.A.D.I.N.G into Christmas using the above tips, it may not make your holiday season completely stress-free, but will provide you with the power and knowledge to cope with the stressful last few weeks of the year. Embrace the end of year challenges and take advantage of any opportunities that come!
Happy holidays!
Leave a Comment