Are you like me during the holiday season? Life gets crazy with the expectations at work and at home, but then we pile on the holiday expectations, and sometimes they’re unrealistic. Whether it’s a pressure internally to buy gifts for lots of people which creates a financial pressure to buy beyond your budget.
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 some time alone as we are so busy with everything going on. 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 that is right down the street. If we have time we visit the neighborhood light show with the lights flashing in connection with songs on their own music station. Either way 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 you like to be in control and that can create problems. The biggest problem 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 it enables us to treat others with the kindness they deserve.
I don’t know what 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 leading at home. Which one of these can you apply to help you maintain perspective? Maybe you have something different you do that you can share. Whatever it may be, please share with me ways that you maintain perspective during this time of year. I hope you have found this helpful. Thanks for reading, and lead well in all you do.
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