It’s nearly impossible to NOT be jolly this time of the year. It doesn’t matter what your nationality or religion, opportunities are boundless to celebrate. Beginning with Thanksgiving, we are all asked to give thanks for the blessings in our lives.
December then brings a holiday to suit almost everyone; Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Whichever you celebrate, they all have the same core traditions. Spending time with friends and family in celebration.
This holiday season, focus on finding the balance between celebrations and incorporate reflection and recuperation.
Celebration
There is no holiday of solitude and this time of the year we create many opportunities to gather with friends, family and co-workers. Take this time to celebrate your team’s successes. They are just as responsible for your growth these past 12 months as you are. Moving forward, don’t wait until December to acknowledge them with a party or a bonus. The best teams only get better with positive affirmations and praise.
Show your appreciation, remembering it is always better to give than to receive. Giving your friends and family gifts at the holidays shows your appreciation and gratitude to them for their love and support of you. And as Zig Ziglar says, “Give enough people what they want, and you will get what you want.”
Reflection
As we close the chapter on 2014, flash back to the key moments that brought you to this point. Reflect on your personal wins, your family wins, your company wins, your team wins, reflect on what challenges you overcame, reflect on your journey of this year. Some people make New Year’s resolutions; most never keep them. They mostly make these resolutions after realizing unfulfilled plans and dreams. After you reflect on your prior year, you can then reflect on what you want to accomplish in 2015, live large, be clear and write it down. Remember that unwritten goals are just dreams.
Recuperation
After all of the shopping, decorating, eating, parties, gifts and endless celebrating, you may be experiencing too much of a good thing. Take this time to recuperate and recharge your batteries. Find peace, joy and balance in the quiet moments. Remember the true reason you are celebrating this holiday season.
No matter how you spend this holiday season, celebrate your successes, acknowledge the help you received to get here, take time for yourself, and create a written plan for your goals for the coming year. Time is short, and it won’t be long before we are singing “Tis the season…” once again.