7 Steps to Alleviate Holiday Season Anxiety (FREE JOURNAL WORKBOOK)

The winter holiday season is truly a magical time of the year filled with festivities, joy and time with loved ones. However, amidst the celebrations some of us find it challenging to stay focused, maintain productivity … and … dare I say... keep the holiday and post-holiday blues at bay (I know at least I struggle with this!) Like many things in life, balancing work and holiday cheer requires strategic planning and a mindful approach. For this reason, as we enter December, I thought I'd share some tips to help you unwrap productivity and make the most of the holiday season!

Step 1:Brain Dumping

In the midst of holiday hustle, it's easy for our minds to become cluttered with additional responsibilities, ideas and plans, which, unconsciously creates unnecessary stress. A short brain dump exercise can help us get all those thoughts on to paper and finally out of our beautiful heads! 

Get it all out- personal goals, work tasks, gift ideas, holiday ideas, etc. Once it's out on paper, start working on Step 2.

Step 2: ABCDE Method

Use the ABCDE Method to divide the thoughts you've jotted down into the below categories: 

A – Top Priorities (Identify tasks that are crucial to your success or have significant consequences if not completed promptly. These are your top priorities, and they demand immediate attention.)

B - Important Tasks: These tasks contribute to your long-term goals and current objectives. They may not be as urgent as A tasks, but they should not be neglected. Schedule time for them after completing your critical tasks.

C - Necessary Tasks or in this case Nice to do tasks: These are the tasks that would be nice to do, but don't directly contribute to anything urgent. It would be nice to go to the new Christmas Market in town, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to go to it.

D - Delegate: Don't hesitate to delegate tasks when appropriate. Whether at work or home, sharing responsibilities with others lightens your load and allows everyone to contribute to the holiday festivities.

E - Eliminate: Identify tasks that do not contribute significantly to your goals and consider eliminating them altogether. This step helps declutter your schedule and allows you to concentrate on high-impact activities.

Step 3: Set Realistic Goals 

Now that all your thoughts have been divided into the ABCDE categories, it's time to set REALISTIC and achievable goals for the holiday period. 

It's important to understand that your usual workload may need adjustment, and prioritize tasks to ensure essential work gets done without overwhelming yourself. This means, it's perfectly OK to work 1-2 hours a day instead of 5-8 hours a day for the next couple of weeks, as long as you've made this agreement with yourself beforehand in order to alleviate any unnecessary feelings of guilt. 

Step 4: Create a Schedule

Develop a schedule that accommodates both work and holiday commitments. Allocate specific time slots for work tasks and holiday activities, making sure to communicate your availability to colleagues, classmates, and family. Stick to your schedule as closely as possible to maintain a sense of routine.

Step 5: Prioritize Self-Care

Remember to take care of yourself physically and mentally. The holiday season can be demanding, and self-care is crucial for maintaining productivity, so go for walks when possible, get enough sleep and be mindful of your eating patterns.  

Step 6: Set Boundaries

Clearly communicate your availability and set boundaries with family and friends. Let them know your work hours and when you'll be available for holiday celebrations. Setting expectations upfront helps avoid misunderstandings and allows you to focus during work hours. 

Most importantly, please remember that "No" is a complete sentence. 

Step 7: Celebrate Small Achievements

Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Recognizing your progress boosts motivation and helps maintain a positive mindset throughout the holiday season.

All in all, having a good pre-season brain dumb, setting realistic goals and managing our time properly can unwrap productivity during the holiday season!

I truly believe that with a mindful approach we can navigate the holiday season successfully, enjoying both work and festive moments. 

For this reason, I want to make sure you have the right tools to navigate the holiday season, so feel free to download this FREE WORKBOOK and start planning your successful winter holiday season ahead! 

As always, enjoy the process of continuously becoming a better version of you✨