2 More Secrets To Reducing Holiday Stress

As we step into the holiday season and the end of the year, emotions and activities are at elevated levels. In my last article, I wrote about how holidays can bring a mix of emotions and the deep feelings, reflection, and joy of celebrating.

Like many of you, I work alongside a mix of blood-related family and long-term loyal employees. We are all juggling trying to take time to “enjoy” the holidays, closing the year on a high, building strategies for next year, and wondering if or when we will find a breath. It is a time of fun and stress.

When the ho-hum of juggling it all during the holiday season gets to me, I have some secrets that I keep close by. I mentioned the first two in the last article. A quick overview of these includes practicing the pause and your locus of control. There are two more secrets I want to share with you to help you better enjoy the holiday season and time with family:

• Arrive Grounded. Arriving at your best is easier said than done, especially when it feels like you are running from one business meeting to the next holiday party. Some may consider meditation or additional rest. Whatever you choose, you have to set the time and strategy that work best for you. Prioritize the time to plan and strategize – don’t wait for the family gathering to figure out how to get through it. Do what you can to arrive rested, calm, and stay grounded as you go into the situation that creates anxiety. It may be strategizing a walk, fresh air, or an “it’s time to go” plan. Learn more about how you can arrive grounded in your strengths through building a Belief Table.

• Practice the Four Agreements. A book that can transform how you go into situations like family in business at the holidays is The Four Agreements. The two most potent for me include not taking things personally and not making assumptions. So often in our interactions with others we often want to create our own story. But when we do this we develop beliefs which do not help us navigate stressful situations.

Listen in to learn more about these two secrets, as well as the two I shared in the previous article here.

The holidays are positioned in the world as a time for cheer, celebration, and magic. However, many people, including myself, feel anxiety, fear, and pain due to their past or current circumstances. Know what you can and can’t control and choose how you want to show up.

Kendall Rawls knows and understands the challenges that impact the success of an entrepreneurial-owned business. Her unique perspective comes not only from her educational background but, more importantly, from her experience as a second-generation family member employee of The Rawls Group - Business Succession Planners. For more information, visit rawlsgroup.com or email [email protected].