Rasheed Ogunlaru coach- speaker – author Christmas Card
Yes the tinsel, relentless TV ads and packed high streets all signal that Christmas is hurtling in at full sleigh bell speed. The religious festival turned marketers dream draws equal measure of delight and dread depending on how you feel about it. Either way you may find yourself with family, finance and festive-overdrive pressures. So how can you cope and celebrate the season without amassing debt, pilling on the pounds or becoming stressed? The secret is preparation and mindset.
Rasheed’s 5 Step Christmas Guide
Step 1 ….Time: Decide right now who you want and need to spend time with and how many hours or days feels right to you. There’s no point anybody overstaying their welcome. If you have difficult family relationships, allotting a manageable amount of time now will help. It may involve tough decisions, but rather that than stress, conflict and unhappiness. Likewise don’t feel compelled to go to every Christmas social going. Follow your heart.
Step 2…. Money: Set a budget that you can afford and stick to it. You’re not farther Christmas – you don’t need to give gifts to everyone. If you’re a parent; sharing time and love with your children is important – spending lots of money is not. If cash is tight – or if you have a big family – agree spending limits with loved one, only buy gifts for children or make a pact not to buy gifts.
Step 3…. Communication / Rich relationships: Once you’ve made your decisions tell everyone concerned so they have time to prepare, adjust or accept it. Do this with love and kindness. If there are some people that can’t fit then set a time now to arrange to catch up with them in the New Year. Sometimes it is this act of communication kindly that can draw you closer.
You may have a close-knit loving relationship with your family and dear ones. If so let them know that you care. Say it and show it. That’s what the season is all about. If you have more turbulent relationships then give each other time, space and respect. This in itself may help. If arguments start to brew then don’t get involved. If things get heated, then walk away or take a break.
Step 4…. Food and festivities: Know your limits. There are 12 days of Christmas but your heart, health and waste line will take the strain for much longer. Only put as much on your plate as you can comfortably eat. If you can’t handle drink, then don’t. In the morning you’ll probably be pleased that you turned down that extra slice of turkey or glass of wine.
Step 5 …Time out: Christmas can be taxing. It’s also the end of a year and you may well need time to recharge, relax and review. Put some time aside for you. Take time to spend with yourself, celebrate who you are and to re-connect to yourself. Give yourself credit for all your achieved and got through. This will mean that you’re ready and best placed for the coming year.
Wishing you glad tidings of comfort and joy, seasons’ greetings Rasheed
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Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, speaker and business / corporate coach.He is also author of The gift of Inner Success and Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business
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