Coping with the Silly Season - T - To-Do Lists

I am a big 'to-do' list maker at any time of the year, but at Christmas time they really are my saving grace.  At this itme of year I make three seperate lists:  One for things I need to do in the office, one for things I need to do at home, and one for things I need to do while I am out and about.  My out and about list is divided in to 'locations', so whenever I am in that area of town I can get everything on the list done at once.

Coping with the Silly Season - S - Schedule Uninterrupted Time

Both at home and in the office, schedule one hour each day of uninterrupted time.  Close the door, turn off the phone, and do whatever else you need to do, so you can get things done without interruption.

For me, the first hour in the office is uninterrupted time, and at home, it is scheduled differently depending on the day.

Coping with the Silly Season - R - Realistic Expectations

While we would all love the movie-version of a family Christmas with all the trimmings, for some of us it's just not going to happen.  Try not to focus on other people's expectations, and get real about how Christmas will be for you and your family.  The trick is to celebrate what you have and not wish for what you haven't - and not just in a material sense.

Coping with the Silly Season - Q - Quit Complaining

Everyone knows you're busy, tired and stressed - chances are they are busy, tired and stressed too.  Instead of focussing on the negatives, consciously look for the positive in every day.  By all means be tired, but make sure you are tired AND something else.  Tired and excited.  Tired and grateful.  Tired and enthusiastic.  What you say has a big impact on how you feel.

Coping with the Silly Season - P - Plan Ahead

Let's face it, we all know how crazy this time of year can be, but we still act surprised when the craziness hits.  There's still a month until Christmas, so start planning and do some of the simple things ahead of time.

Coping with the Silly Season - O - Out-of-Office Reply

If at all possible, load your email out-of-office reply a couple of days before your Christmas holidays begin.  The writers will assume you have already left for your Christmas break, and won't be expecting a reply until you get back.  This gives you a chance to complete any important or urgent tasks, without being bogged-down by things that can wait.

Wednesday's Word of the Week - Pigeonholing

Life is so much easier if we can put labels on people! Pigeonholing permits us to wash our hands and leave.

“Oh I know him—he’s an alcoholic.

“She’s a liberal Democrat.”

“He’s divorced.”

Categorizing others creates distance and gives us a convenient exit strategy for avoiding involvement. Jesus took an entirely different approach. He was all about including people.

John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”

Jesus touched lepers and loved foreigners. His Facebook page included the likes of Matthew the IRS agent, and some floozy he met at Simon’s house. Jesus set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave. He became human!

Jesus sends this message: Don’t call any person common. Don’t call any person unfit! Every person matters to God.

From GRACE by Max Lucado

Coping with the Silly Season - N - No, No, No

Don't be afraid to say no.  Say no to Christmas parties, say no to working late, say no to last minute catch-ups with people who think everything needs to happen before Christmas.  Remember Christmas is a season, and in New Zealand, it carries right through till the end of January.  Make a plan to fit everything in over the whole holiday period - not just a few weeks in December.

Toolbox Tuesday - Use Your Testimonials

22. Use Your Testimonials

It’s one thing for you to tell people how great you are, but it’s a whole lot more valuable if someone else does it for you. Gather testimonials from your volunteers about how much fun it is to be involved with your organisation, ask clients or past clients to share how much they have benefited from your service, and encourage sponsors to give feedback about their involvement also. Once you have them, use them on every piece of marketing material you have. Leaving them in the office drawer is a waste of time and space!

Coping with the Silly Season - M - Money, Money, Money

Nothing causes more stress than money worries.  If you haven't done so already, make a realistic budget for Christmas, and then stick to it.  Make sure you include the hidden extra costs like petrol (for all the Christmas running around), food (for 'bring a plates'), gas for the BBQ and toilet paper (for all those extra guests).