As December 2012 has embarked upon us, we can all easily feel overwhelmed with the vast amounts of things we need to do in a short space of time. At the same time we also feel drained from a busy year, which has had both its highs and lows.
It is one of those times in the year where most of us have to juggle many things in our lives. Just to mention a few: meeting work deadlines; preparing and organizing various festive celebrations; ensuring the family and kids are all happy and occupied and then grappling for some ‘me’ time, where we can relax and take a moment to breathe.
Leading up to Christmas and New Year is also certainly a time full of mixed feelings, where we can easily act on emotions and make emotionally based decisions. For many of us, despite it being a joyous and giving season, all this activity can easily bring out the worst in us and we can act in ways that either jeopardise the things we have achieved in the year, or hinder our prospects for the coming year.
To help you bring out the best in you during this time of the year – try these five tips:
- Bigger picture versus nit picking – regardless of what happens and before you take action, think about the main reason why you are doing, what you are doing
- Simplicity versus complication – do what you can do in your physical, emotional, financial and time capacity, not what you think others will be impressed by
- Giving versus receiving – remember its always better to give than receive (although we all like to be spoilt once in a while)
- Responsibility versus being a ‘victim’ – take responsibility over your attitude and mood by remembering you are in control of how you think, feel and act. Therefore, do not let any family member, relative or colleague, put a downer on how you feel
- Reflection versus denial – take a moment to reflect on the year and recognize what you have achieved as well as the significant events you have gone through.
For some of us this time of the year can be one to celebrate with loved ones and for others it can be a time which can be lonely, whereby loved ones are missing. If you are able to share your happiness and family love with those less fortunate by making someone else’s Christmas joyous, do so by sharing your time, care and good spirits too.