The last few weeks leading up to the Christmas Holidays can be particularly taxing. Regardless of whether this is the time your business is pumping or slowing down, you are likely running out of energy.
Most of us are due for a break around now and as the time approaches and our thoughts turn to holidays, we start to slow down. The prospect of rest is so enticing, but we’re not quite there yet. At this point, we often lose momentum. Our need for rest is out of sync with the last few weeks you still need to put in.
So how do you get through the next few weeks?
Here are my tips to surviving the last few weeks before holidays:
Simplify
Things can be complicated and if you’re still chasing deadlines for the end of year, you’re going to have a lot on your plate. So what can you take off your plate? This means: Cancel, postpone or delegate. Can you move anything on your to-do list by cancelling it altogether? Do you really have to do it now? If not, postpone. Can you get help? Delegate or pull in a favour.
Understand which type of energy is low
We all have different types of energy and the levels for each may be different. Think about how your physical energy is compared to your mental energy, emotional energy and spiritual energy. Each is likely different. Which one needs the most attention, or in other words, which one feels the most depleted? Once you know that, you know how better to fix it. For example, low physical energy will require something a whole lot different than low emotional energy. Define which energy is the most depleted and apply the most appropriate fix.
What’s one thing that would make it easier?
We often continue along in our routines feeling helpless to our workloads without ever considering that there are alternatives. You may still need to get that task or project done, but there are alternative ways of doing it and many options that would make it easier on you. To open yourself up to other options, ask yourself this question: “What’s one thing that would make it easier to complete[insert task here]?” Here’s some answers that may arise…
“If I work from home.“
“If I work half a day Saturday.”
“If I don’t cook dinner/ walk the dog/clean the house.”
“If I cancel my meeting.”… etc
Sit quietly for 5 minutes
Close your eyes, turn off all devices, noise, distractions. If you have to lock yourself in your bathroom to achieve this, then do! You can set a timer if you like. Simply close your eyes and focus on your breathing. If you can meditate, then meditate. If you have never meditated, then just focus on your breathing. If thoughts come up, that’s ok. Don’t follow them, just focus back on your breathing. 5 minutes of peace can help a lot! 5 minutes is a significant amount of time if you are just sitting and breathing. Try it.