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WHAT'S NEW
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A personal coach's tips for managing holiday stress
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Create a plan of action to reduce pressures during the festive season.
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By Lisa Martin
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Well it's that time of the year again -- the holiday season is just around the corner. Most women I know are both excited and stressed about the upcoming festivities. I've identified a contributor to this holiday stress - and her name is Martha Stewart.
Now, don't get me wrong. I have the utmost respect for Ms. Stewart. Her business accomplishments are beyond admirable. She also has a myriad of amazing ideas to "make the most of your holiday season." But, as far as I'm concerned, she has a habit of suggesting too many homemade holiday projects.
How are we feeling?
Today's working woman is already feeling time-stressed. According to a recent survey on work/life balance, 55 per cent of Canadians say they are highly stressed. So, trying to create that perfect front-door decoration or dinner-table centerpiece can send some time-pressed women into stress overload.
What is the recipe for a joyful holiday season? Start by acknowledging that Martha Stewart and other home-décor gurus contribute to holiday stress, but Martha and her friends are not the real problem. The main reason you will feel stressed in December is because you will take on too much.
What are the contributors to the seasonal stress?
Holiday stress is really created when you say "yes" too often, when you want to make everything absolutely perfect and when you do not set aside time for you. What can you do to change this situation? Here are three easy steps you can take to make this holiday season pleasurable, relaxing and rejuvenating...isn't that what it is all about anyway?
1. Be clear about your ideal holiday season
Ask yourself these questions: What do you want your holiday season to look like? Where do you want to be...at home or at friends/relatives or away from it all? Who do you want to celebrate with? What do you want to celebrate? What is really important to you? What will bring you joy?
2. Create your holiday "yes" list
Once you've answered the questions above, write down the top seven things you want to say "yes" to this season. When you know what you want to say "yes" to, then you will find it much easier to start saying "no" to the things you don't want to do.
3. Schedule "me" time
If you only do one of these three steps, I urge you to do this one. The key to survival, i.e., no stress breakdowns - we all know what these look like - will be your commitment to take some time for you. The holidays are meant to be a time of rest. Give yourself permission to take a break.
By combining these three steps, you will end up with a personal holiday plan that ensures you have a joyful, stress-free season with loved ones - maybe even Martha would approve.
Chat about your holiday survival strategies with other readers in our forums.
Lisa Martin is a Vancouver-based personal coach. She shares her Success and Balance Strategies daily with people around the world through her website, www.successandbalance.com, workshops and one-on-one coaching. Martin coaches executives, entrepreneurs and briefcase momsTM who want more balance, less stress and more success in their professional and personal lives. She brings more than 15 years of practical experience as a facilitator, workshop leader, trainer, consultant, manager, corporate executive and entrepreneur to her coaching practice.
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