December 2024
Redefining the Holidays
After such a long and challenging year, it’s difficult to know how to plan for the holidays. Thanksgiving was an interesting prelude. The holiday vortex began. Everyone is hysterical with the over planning of festivities. What is positive about the holidays is that people seem to exhibit more cheer and goodwill. We must put aside our problems and make a conscious decision to always be kindly. I noticed that even usually grumpy cashiers and customer service employees were wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I can see that December is a time to establish good habits that you can carry into the New Year. Stop being so preoccupied with your own problems and obligations. When you go somewhere take the time to look people in the eye and say something pleasant or uplifting. I want to make sure that I continue to acknowledge and encourage others wherever I go.
How do you show up?
If you are depressed during the holidays because most of your family and friends are deceased, it’s time to start some new traditions. It takes your mind off your struggles when you concentrate on cheering someone else up. When I lived in Kansas, I enjoyed inviting people to a holiday dinner if they didn’t have relatives to visit. My newest tradition is to invite my assistant and family friend, Victor Ellison to help me decorate for Christmas. This year he came with his daughter and grandson. It was a lot of fun and I joked that he “saved Christmas”. It would have seemed sad to do it by myself. A tradition doesn’t need to be an ordeal. It could be as simple as getting together for a cookie and hot chocolate.
What could be your new tradition?
We especially need to bring healthy habits into the New Year if we’re in business. In December I give my Business Planning for the New Year class. I help business owners and sales professionals identify what worked for them in 2024 so they can amplify those successes in 2025. We also brainstorm new positive action steps to take in 2025. You can get more information about this and enroll by going to my website: www.coachmary.net. It’s crucial to identify how the holidays impact your business so that you can plan accordingly. For many businesses holidays are a slow time because people are so involved in their holiday festivities. If this is the case for you, work harder earlier in the year. Don’t fight the holiday vortex; take some time off to renew yourself.
What could happen if you took the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day?
For most of us, the biggest challenge of the holidays is balancing everything. There are often too many demands. In coaching we talk about having to decide what to say yes to and what to say no to. This year I learned a lot from a coach named Isaac Stegman, owner of Kaizen Coaching. He is passionate about setting priorities and being true to your values. Besides being a Who’s in Your Room? leader, he has developed a program called “No Regrets”. He stresses being fully present for the people and activities in your life that really matter to you.
What really matters the most to you?
Decide what you really want to say yes to and make a list of what you want to have done and who you want to have spent time with by the end of December. Be prepared, there are many things you are going to have to say no to in order to really honor your priorities. Rehearse nice ways to decline invitations and requests. If you don’t take a stand, you’ll wind up celebrating someone else’s idea of the holidays and not having your own. If you have recently had a loss or setback it might really be time to start some new traditions that are more fitting and fulfilling for your new situation. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need a push in a new direction.
What could help you take a stand and make the holidays happy for you?
What many people forget is that this is a month of religious holidays and we need some quiet time to pray and worship. Also, if you are in business you need time to do your tax planning and strategic plan for 2025. My pet peeve is that everyone wants to have a holiday party or event. We need to develop a healthy habit of having gatherings throughout the year, not just during December. That’s why Robert and Keira Mitchell and myself had business socials in September.
What kind of gathering could you have before the holidays in 2025?
Keep December more simple and uncluttered. Leave room for magic and memories. Have the courage to enjoy your December and not someone else’s idea of what you should do. Practice habits to use all next year such as wishing the best for others, effective business planning and having time for your most cherished priorities. If you need a solitary moment visit my country retreat in Buffalo, Missouri. It’s a serene setting where you’ll be able to pray, think, plan, or be alone with your special people:
What kind of gathering could you have before the holidays in 2025?
Keep December more simple and uncluttered. Leave room for magic and memories. Have the courage to enjoy your December and not someone else’s idea of what you should do. Practice habits to use all next year such as wishing the best for others, effective business planning and having time for your most cherished priorities. If you need a solitary moment visit my country retreat in Buffalo Missouri. It’s a serene setting where you’ll be able to pray, think, plan, or be alone with your special people:
https://evolve.com/vacation-rentals/us/mo/buffalo/462541?queryID=2c2f70dd5b526a4ad69f3561a0e8645d
https://evolve.com/vacation-rentals/us/mo/buffalo/462542?queryID=2c2f70dd5b526a4ad69f3561a0e8645d
