Some people find the holidays exciting, some find them stressful, but almost everyone finds them busy, so as you enter into the full swing of the holiday season, remember that you can get everything done better if you pace yourself, plan a reasonable schedule, and stay present doing what you are doing without letting your mind drift to the other responsibilities you have not yet handled.
Working with a planner or appointment book makes it easier to keep track of all the errands, meetings, shopping, meal and party planning, and the many different tasks necessary to take care of all your needs and wants.
If you don’t have a formal appointment book, you can use a simple notebook or pad – just write down all the things you need to do, and compile them into a list. Arrange them by time – in other words, decide when each needs to be complete, and organize them in time order, so you can take action on a timely basis.
If one step depends on another, for example, you’ll need to buy the ingredients for your holiday dinner before you cook them, then check to see that each step you write that needs something to happen first is written in the right time sequence in your planner.
If you don’t get to one or more steps, you’ll need to reposition the steps in your time sequence, so nothing slips through the cracks. Each step you complete takes you closer to a happy and healthy holiday, so use this simple time and energy management tool to streamline the process and have more time to celebrate!