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	10 Tips To a Stress-Free Holiday

	by Beth Tabak

Can you feel the holiday jitters beginning? Suddenly there it is right around the corner. Relax! Take time to PLAN well now and EASE on into the holidays with a big smile on your face. Get out a small notebook and pen, and let’s get started.

LOOKING BACK

Reminisce over PREVIOUS holidays. In your notebook create a column for "what works" and another for "not that again". Under "what works", list the activities that bring you JOY, those that come naturally to you, and those that seem to click into place. Under "not that again", list your CHALLENGES. Jot what drains your energy and brings you down. What can you do to delegate, dump, or change those items in the "not that again" column and embrace more of the things in the "what works" column? What changes need to take place?

SETTING THE STAGE

Choose a THEME for the holidays that you can get excited about. What is most important to you during this holiday? Base your theme around that. Maybe you want to stay home instead of traveling. Your theme could be “Home for the Holidays”. Maybe your budget is tight. Your theme could be “Simply Sensational”. Your theme will help you stay FOCUSED. You can choose a theme that honors your spirituality such as "Faith and Family First" or choose a favorite quote such as Mahatma Gandhi's “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World”. Get creative, have fun, and write it down.

DECIDE WHAT'S IMPORTANT

Set your top 3 PRIORITIES based on your theme and what you want. Get crystal clear. Write them down. When you know your priorities you are able to RESPOND easily to a request. When you know what is important to you it becomes easier to set boundaries. When someone asks you to get involved in a project or activity request 24 hours to respond. Look at your top 3 priorities and see if it serves them. If it does, then it is worth considering. If not, the answer is likely no.

CREATE A MAP

Create a TASK list thru the end of the year -- this will prevent you from running in circles, going back and forth to the same place, and trying to remember what you need to do next. Last year I had 200+ items on my task list -- no wonder we feel stressed when we attempt this in our heads! On your computer create a chart with 4 columns for different priority areas of your life -- mine are Business, Personal, Holiday, and Need List. Set up your page with a small font and minimal margin space so you can fit as many rows as possible. List your tasks and keep your map with you everywhere you go. Set BLOCKS of time to carry out these tasks. Have fun and gain momentum as you check them off. Remember to save your list to reuse next year.

SIMPLIFY

Every task must be handled. Your options are to DO it, DELEGATE it, or DUMP it. Eliminate what does not serve your top 3 priorities. What can you get help on and delegate? This is a good time to get rid of those items on your "not that again" list. Hire someone to decorate or a housekeeper for the month. Have everyone bring a dish instead of you doing it all yourself. Get your family involved and develop a new attitude that things don't have to be perfect. Let go. This will allow you space to embrace what you enjoy.

SET YOUR BUDGET

Develop a budget that feels GOOD. Many people are tight on cash. There are lots of ways to make this holiday special without adding stress to your budget. How can you show people they are appreciated? What activities can you do as a family? Letting people know what is special about them in a card, letter, audio cassette, or video is a great gift. Get creative and have fun. Every year I have at least one gift for the kids to find. I wrap empty boxes inside each other. When they open the last box there is a clue telling them the next step. Don't let a tight budget steal your JOY.

SET YOUR BOUNDARIES

Decide now what you will not TOLERATE. Write it down. Remember your "not that again" list? Is there someone who always ropes you into things you do not want to do? Have the conversation you need to have. No is no. If someone continues to ask after you said no, they are attempting to control you. Setting boundaries is about EDUCATING people on how they can treat you. Is there someone you need to educate?

TAKE A BREAK

Schedule one hour a week for planning and schedule time for YOURSELF. When is a good time for you to update your task list? When can you take time for you? Put it on your calendar every week through the end of the year and keep those appointments. See if adding this line to your planner will help you keep your appointment: "I have an appointment in HONOR of myself this ______(day) at __:__ (time) to do something really special for me because I sooooooo deserve it!"

GIFT GIVING

Give in a way that gives you joy instead of out of OBLIGATION. When you give in a way that comes naturally to you, you stay in INTEGRITY with who you are. Therefore, you are able to share your own special gifts with others. When you are doing what you love life seems to click. If there is a situation you are dreading, think about how you can tweak it and handle it in a way that would bring you joy.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Begin TODAY so that you are tying up your last bows well before the pitter patter of hoofs on the rooftop. Keep your holiday notebook and map close at hand. The sooner you complete your tasks, the sooner you can sit back, smile, and enjoy the season! What I want for you is to take one step FORWARD to prepare for the holidays...Starting Now!

Beth Tabak is a Business and Life Coach, columnist, and owner of Starting Now. She coaches small business owners and professionals who think big to step out in a bold way to grow beyond limits, stand out in the crowd, and experience the vastness of their capabilities. You may visit her website at www.startingnowcoaching.com .

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