Business tips for holiday havoc
Sometimes the holidays can feel like as much work as a major business project! So, why not turn to the business self-help genre for some insight into how to plow through the madness.
Highly effective holidays
If you haven't actually read Stephen Covey's classic Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, then you've probably at least heard about it, or sat through some of the ripple effect of its popularity. (Ever written your personal mission statement?) But have you applied the principles to the holidays? Here are some ideas:
- Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind. What is it that you really want for the holidays? It's very easy to get wrapped up in trying to meet someone else's image of the perfect mother, wife, daughter, sister-in-law, hostess… you get the idea. But in the end, it does matter what you actually want to do. So breathe. Pick what's most important to you in the holidays. And do that.
- Habit 3: Put first things first. At my house, this is the food. At yours, it might be the tree, or the religious aspects, or watching Frosty the Snowman. Whatever it is, do that. Let the rest go.
- Habit 4: Think win/win. If your teens want to celebrate their own holiday with friends and skip the trip to Grandma's, don't assume it's a win/lose situation. Find a way everyone gets some space for his or her own "first things."
4 hour holiday
Although Timothy Ferriss's bestselling book on making money while pursuing one's dreams (some of us might say "slacking off"), The 4-Hour Workweek may start to seem outré in the current economic climate – but remains no less insightful about how to manage time and commitments. The top insights that you can put to work:
- Outsource: Yes, we all have the perfect homemade holiday in our minds (okay, maybe that's just me). But you can actually buy "homemade" rugelach at a local bakery, order a turkey dinner via Internet delivery (at least in Toronto) and bring cleaners in for pre- or post- party clean up. Remember: your time is of value, including time for relaxation.
- Take a mini-retirement: It's okay not to do… whatever this year. Skip the 8-hour dinner. Say no thank you to the neighbourhood open house. Leave the ornaments in the attic. It's fine, really.
