There’s no doubt about it, this is a busy time of year. Christmas is just days away, and New Year’s is about a week after that. During this busy season, many people including home-based professionals abandon the routines and systems of organization that have served them well all year. If you have gotten so wrapped up (no pun intended) in trying to get a ton of extra things done that you have become disorganized and stressed out, take a deep breath. This holiday thing is supposed to be fun, isn’t it?
It is time to reclaim your merry and bright demeanor and say goodbye to holiday stress. This is completely possible, even if you are a home-based professional with a thousand little errands and projects scattered about the house that beg you to leave your desk to attend to them. By taking a few minutes now to get reorganized and make a plan for the next couple of weeks, you will make things easier for yourself, not to mention the other people in your household.
Now, more than ever, it is essential that you make a schedule for your work. Then, add all of the parties and other holiday events that you and your family are going to be attending. I would suggest putting everything all on one calendar – work, family events, and other things so that you do not end up double-booked and doubly stressed. Two other helpful things that you can do are to make a meal plan and a to-do list. A meal plan will help you take fewer trips to the grocery store and, more importantly, will take the guesswork out of deciding what to prepare for each meal. A to-do list is good not only for reminding you of what you would like to accomplish, but also for knowing when your plate is just too full to accommodate another cookie swap or dinner party. If your to-do list seems out of control, see what you can delegate to other family members or, ask yourself how important each thing on your list is. You may decide to cross some things off the list because they just are not worth the effort. Once you have your plan in place, relax and enjoy a wonderful, unstressed holiday season.