Holiday Self-Leadership

Are you like me during the holiday season? Life is already crazy with work and home expectations, but then we pile on the sometimes unrealistic holiday expectations. For example, a self-imposed pressure to buy gifts for more people than our budget can handle.

Add to all this the excessive commitments to be at holiday experiences with your family, extended family or events at school. Everything’s constantly pulling at us, and it creates so much pressure! What can we do?

We all have a lot going on. Maybe one of these ideas will help you lower the expectation level and help you maintain perspective during this time.

Community

When you are around others ask questions to connect and be in genuine authentic community with others.

Solitude

Maybe you need to take a few minutes alone to break from the busyness. One practice I implement is starting each day reading from an inspirational book. That could be a faith-based book or something else. Find something that can help you maintain perspective and dive into it.

Realistic Goals and Expectations

Are we expecting too much or ourselves? “I have to get the perfect gift,” we think. Chances are, this person cares more about you being present than the gift you bring.

Serve Others

I know during the holiday season our family tries to help other people. In the past we’ve helped with giving gifts to families in need. During Thanksgiving time we have helped deliver meals. During Christmas we have helped wrap gifts at a community gift store. All of these help us maintain perspective.

Inexpensive Fun

One tradition our family has is driving through the local Christmas light show. We also visit the neighborhood light show that coordinates lights flashing with songs on their own music station. We drive, enjoy the display, each other and it only costs a little gas money. At the same time it helps us keep perspective, connect as a family, and lower stress.

Be Kind

If you are like me, your desire to be in control can create problems. The biggest being when people do not do things the way we want them to. Sometimes when we let go of the need to be in control we empower ourselves to lead with the kindness they deserve.

I hope one of these tips will help you manage your perspective, and not be so flustered during this time, with all the expectations and added pressures on top of leading at work and home. Which one of these can you apply to help you maintain perspective? Stay tuned as next week I’m going to share a sneak peak on tips to communicate and connect better with others during the holidays. Thanks for reading, and lead well in all you do.