We can all agree it’s a busy time of year - and that with all the distractions of family, and end-of-year business transactions, and holiday parties and everything else, it's easy to get off-track from your true personal goals and priorities.
My friend Coach Lou Holtz likes to say:
“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.”
That is never more true than this time of year.
So let's go over three tactics for bearing your load - that will allow you to keep your focus on what's really important:
- Understand that every time you say yes to something, you are saying NO to something else. This is always true, of course, but holiday season is when we're particularly loathe to say no to anyone. It's very easy to spread yourself too thin at this time.
- Have your NOT To Do List organized, and top of mind. (This is a list of things that distract you on a daily basis, but that don't accomplish anything productive.)
- Remind yourself of who and what is important to you on a long-term basis. Keeping these priorities in mind will help you say no to the less important distractions.
The holidays are obviously a time to celebrate and be thankful. I'm not saying that that should change at all. I'm not suggesting anyone turn into Ebeneezer Scrooge.
What I am saying is that December is a month like any other; you have 30 or so days to get that much closer to the goals that are truly important to you.
Don't let December's distractions take that time away from you.
