As we head into the Holiday season, we tend to load our already busy schedules with even more. We are expected to attend parties, spend more time with our families, work in time for gift shopping and wrapping, and somehow still perform the rest of our normal duties. With the extra activities and time demands, stress and overwhelm can take over, robbing us of the joy and wonder of the season.
It doesn’t have to be like that. We’ve got some super simple holiday time management tips for you!
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This is the time of year when less should be more. Before you get caught up in the middle of the craziness, take a little time to prioritize and prepare so you can manage your time with wisdom and grace during the next few weeks.
Here are a few Holiday time management tips to help you be more productive and to enjoy the season even more!
Choices – Less is More
There are some things that are non-negotiable, but when you do have a choice about Holiday events, only choose the events that sound fun and that you have time for. It’s perfectly acceptable to say no. A legitimate reason to say no to an invitation is that you’ve booked time with your family already. Be loving and extend grace to those who say no to you, as well!
Choose less when possible. Don’t try to do it all, especially when traveling. Make sure you plan for things to go wrong and for plans to be changed. Prepare for some things to take longer than expected so you don’t feel pressured or stressed when this happens.
Make sure you choose to rest as well. Don’t overbook yourself to the point where you have no time for relaxation and self-care. Everyone will thank you for taking time for yourself!
Make a List a Check it Twice
I’m not talking about your Christmas list, here. Make a list of your priorities and be sure you capture all those random little details on paper. Keep a pen and paper or your smartphone handy with an app for taking notes. Better yet, start a Holiday Priorities spread in your bullet journal, and write down anything that you need to remember to do.
The phrase, “Ink it when you think it” is helpful here. If you are prepared to write down those random thoughts as they come, you can write them down and then forget about it until you review your list at a set time. This is a great sanity saver, especially during the busy Holiday season!
At the beginning of each day, check your list and arrange items in the order they need to be accomplished, noting anything that is pressing and anything that can be put off. This will give you perspective on what you need to accomplish that day and keep you from forgetting anything important.
Focus on ONE Thing
Multitasking is not always the best choice. Yes, there are lots of things that can be worked on simultaneously, but make it a priority to simplify your life by focusing on one thing and following it all the way through. Doing too much at once can result in getting nothing done well.
This is especially important when it comes to precious moments with your family during the Holidays. Make sure that you set aside those special times and don’t allow your to-do list to sneak into your celebrations!
Schedule Time to be Unplugged
Block out time in your schedule to unplug. There are certain days and times during the next few weeks that you will want to put your full attention on your family and your loved ones. Plan ahead for these times and block them on your calendar. If you need to use autoresponders to manage incoming work notifications, get those set up now.
Put down your phone. Turn off your computers. Mute your notifications. Social media can wait. Your inbox can hold for a few hours. During the Holiday season, time seems to speed up. Before you know it, it’s the day after Christmas and you’re saying goodbye to the loved ones you may not see again for many months.
Don’t waste that precious time with online distractions. Your family will leave, but the memories will last forever. You don’t want to have those memories clouded with a dozen emails and thirty Facebook notifications.
Enjoy the Season
Perfectly planned moments are for the movies, not real life. It’s not a bad thing to want to have the perfect Holiday Party or to have the ultimate magical Christmas morning for your children. However, don’t be disappointed if the reality doesn’t match your expectations. Maybe the pumpkin pie will burn because you are listening to your child share a special story and you didn’t get it out of the oven quickly enough. That’s okay. There will be more pies in the future, but the time and attention given to your child will never be forgotten.
No one will be disappointed if every decoration isn’t exactly perfect, or if a traditional dish didn’t make it onto the table. No one will know if there are only 5 presents per child instead of the 6 you had planned but didn’t have time to get.
They will know, though, if you are overwhelmed, stressed, and upset by these things. And so, while you are planning your Holidays, plan for the unexpected and prepare to take advantage of the unique moments of wonder and joy.
Your to-do list has been written and it will still be there when the special moments are over.
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