Want less stress at this time next year for the holidays?
Doesn’t it always happen. You realize you want to change something today, but by this time next year, who can remember what it was.
So we keep doing the same thing.
Try this —
As you move through this holiday season, notice and write down or record answers to the questions below.
Keep a recorder nearby – on your PDA, a small notepad, on your planner, or even your computer.
If you jot down notes as you`re going through the issues this year, then 11 months from now, you`ll remember what you wanted to prevent.
What was really stressful today?
You can`t solve a problem until you know what it is. It`s easy enough to say `Oh, the holidays are so stressful.` However, if you want to reduce stress, where could you start, with such a general comment?
For example, let`s say your notebook or recording tells you that today had too many last minute errands, then you could:
- Spread them out over more days;
- Start much earlier next year noting this on your calendar for November 2011;
- Consider if you typically pack too much into one day; is that a normal pace of life, now made worse at the holidays?
- Ask for family support;
- Or even hire out to an errand services company, if only for the holiday season;
- Drop a few responsibilities completely;
- Create a half-hour in your day to relieve stress. It may be reading your favorite book in the morning. Getting B= hour of quiet time at some point to rejuvenate.
- Or making a commitment to keep going to the gym, even with a packed schedule ` going, but fewer times a week.
So next year, you’d have at least the problems identified and could solve for them 11 months from now.
Or even more useful could be problem and solutions ideas for next year. Some people can quickly identify what would have made the situation better. Others need processing time. And others on tough questions may need other people’s ideas. Whatever works for you is the right answer.
This is also a great organizing topic for coaching.
Because of this exercise, you may notice your stress came from spending, so then you`d have a different set of solutions.
If we don`t stop and reflect, the whole day becomes one big cloud. And then we can`t figure out how to get out of it.
And the side benefit? You may learn new ideas to use throughout the year.
Other questions to ask yourself: What felt like an obligation and wasn`t enjoyable?
What or who wasted my time today ` a precious commodity even more these days?
How much help did others give you today?
So what could you use to record your problems and/or solutions?
Notepad, PDA, sticky note, Organizer Coach time?
