How to keep work life balance
Life is busy as it is, but with the major event of Xmas coming up, most women are even busier. At work: end-of-year targets, Xmas parties, next-year planning, lunches and the difficulty of getting things done when most business are slowing down. At home: decorations, social events, presents, food. Kids: school plays, pantomime, parties, presents, excitement. Just a few of those demands that you are presented with.
And you just expect yourself to easily deal with it; carry on as usual and pretend it is all going smoothly. But you and I know that it is a demanding job to coordinate and organise all those extra activities. Not only from a practical point of view, there are also huge emotional demands. Ahhhhhggggg, Xmas stress!
Below a list of tips that will help you in different situations to keep the work-life balance going that keeps you going…..
Depending on your stress personality, you will notice some tips are not for you, as you are already executing the de-stressing, but other tips will be spot on to support you in stepping into the stress free zone.
1. Get yourself a nice little note book, or reporters bloc, and use that for all your Xmas related ideas, things to do list, etc. Make sure it fits in your handbag, because this is your ‘bible’ for the coming weeks.
2. Write everything related to Xmas in your booklet; even little remarks, ideas for presents, a website, anything that comes up. With all your notes in one place, you will never lose anything.
3. Make a ThingsToDo list every evening before you go to bed. That way you make the most of your time the next day and it gives a sense of control.
4. Make a ListWithWorries. This taps into the emotional challenges of this busy time – how to fit into the LBD can be as much a concern as is – how to avoid a family argument or – how to keep the spenditure at bay. List your main concerns and take time to think them through. How much is down to you, how much is down to circumstances, is there anything you can do to lighten the concern? If so, do it. If not, let it rest and let it be. Don’t worry about it until it is a reality.
5. Make your self-care a priority. At work, delegate, postpone or delete (responsibly of course) instead of stressing yourself out to get something done. In your own time, the same principles of delegation, postponing or deleting work. Also make sure you book a massage, go to the gym or do something else you love doing.
6. Take some time out, every day. Download my free e-book on How to create 30 minutes of quality ME time each day, if you want to master this.
7. Throw perfectionism out of the window: when it is good enough it is good enough. Xmas is not a competition………. And perfectionism is a real downer for confidence.
8. Avoid massive tasks, hat take up a lot of time. The baby step philosophy works on all levels. So, don’t go on one single shopping expedition to sort everybody out. You will spend more, buy the wrong things, feel exhausted and have to go back to exchange anyway.
9. Become Teflon, not Velcro; if something negative happens, try not to stick to it, but let it slide off you.
10. Approach every single task with a smile and a dose of positivity. Avoid negative language, as they create negative thoughts, which then will create stress and makes you feel unhappy…… There is nothing wrong with saying no.
This list gives you plenty of ideas and inspiration to ‘crack’ the holiday season and have a wonderful time, during preparation and during XMAS itself. Let me know which ones really work for you and also, you might have some to add.
