The business of holiday survival

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.

The fifth discipline of Christmas

Peter M. Senge's The Fifth Discipline introduced the ethos of the "learning organization" into management-speak.  In order to respond to different needs and changing times – something any of us with aging parents or grown children can appreciate – it's important to learn and grow.  It may be that old traditions are keeping families apart, or under stress, rather than together. An insight to put to work:

• Shared vision: This could be as simple as making sure everyone's plans align, but it can go deeper. Do people really look forward to the family brandied fruitcake you slave over, or are they just being polite?  Would it be better to draw names for gifts rather than run all over trying to get something for everyone within a budget? You can only find out by raising the topic.

The Dilbert principle

No cubicle is really complete without a Dilbert cartoon.  But Scott Adams's powers of observation go beyond just the comic strip. He also developed the Dilbert principle: Companies tend to systematically promote their least-competent employees to management (generally middle management), in order to limit the amount of damage they're capable of doing.  So how can this relate to holiday planning? Simple:

• Contain the damage: Delegate tasks to people so that they're occupied with their own piece of the pie.  Put your teenager in charge of the holiday soundtrack; ask your great-aunt to bring her green bean casserole, but if you really want the turkey defrosted on time, make sure you soak it yourself. And oh yes:
• When in doubt, laugh: Really, good times are what the holidays are all about. Every family has its foibles, every situation has its awkward moments and every year has its New Year's Eve even if you run out of champagne. Have a laugh – and happy holidays.

How do you handle holiday havoc? Share tips or seek a shoulder to cry on in our forums!

This article is original content on More.ca