Holiday Guide
MANAGING THE HOLIDAYS:
Seasonal Stress Strategies
By Mary L. McGinnis, MA, LMHC, LMFT
Every year about this time, the requisite articles
appear telling us how to better prepare for and navigate
the holidays. By now, most of us probably can recite the
familiar seasonal messages about planning ahead,
limiting consumption of holiday treats and alcohol,
keeping our exercise routine, prioritizing time for
family, and other tried and true recommendations to
reduce holiday stress.
While all these reminders are useful, frankly, as a
business owner or manager, they may sometimes seem
idealistic or even naïve. For many business executives,
the end of the year is the time we feel least likely to
be able to slow down or reduce stress, as we work to
meet year-end sales or income projections and other
obligations related to ending the calendar year.
So, this year, maybe we should think about some more
realistic guidelines to surviving, and maybe even
enjoying, the holidays.
Stay the Course
November and December can be
stressful enough without trying to jam entirely new
ideas, procedures and technology into year-end
objectives. If it hasn’t happened by now, spend your
energy setting clear timelines for accomplishing those
objectives in the coming year, then stick to those
timelines.
Clarify Staff Limits
As early as possible,
clarify for employees what procedures and policies apply
to holiday absences. If you have a business that
requires a certain level of staff in any area to operate
efficiently, encourage employees to coordinate among
themselves to ensure that the minimum staffing needs are
met. Then tell them to present to you for approval any
proposed ideas. This allows independent problem-solving,
but gives you final authority. Also consider
establishing (or have staff establish) an ongoing
relationship with a reliable and appropriate temporary
staffing agency to aid with unpredicted, but inevitable,
absences.
Party Smart
Soon after Thanksgiving,
count on getting a wave of holiday party invitations.
Though you may want to attend every celebration, your
business responsibilities continue. Often, many of the
same people attend the same parties, so consider making
your stops very brief, no more than 15 minutes, and
visiting with the host and a few different people at
each event. If business priorities completely prohibit
your attending a particular function, schedule a lunch
or other time early in the new year with the main host
of the party you must miss, so you can stay in touch and
remain on next year’s invitation list! An added benefit
of limiting your stay is avoiding the gravitational pull
to the cookie trays!
Party Smart-Chapter Two
If you decide to host an
office holiday party for employees, customers or
clients, make it simple but tasteful. Choose a small
assortment of gourmet items instead of overloading with
inexpensive, discount fare. It will make the event less
stressful for you and your party planner and leave an
impression of unique quality with those who attend.
Also, provide healthy alternatives for those trying to
stay on track with special diets, and limit alcohol to
avoid issues of driver safety.
Shop Smart
Though some of us actually
enjoy the hustle and bustle of shopping, when pressed
for time, using on-line resources for shopping is a
wonderful stress reliever. They’re open 24/7, no parking
or lines, and you can shop for the best prices without
leaving your chair! For quick and convenient ideas for
holiday gifts and entertaining, a couple of books you
might find helpful are Swell Holiday (Rowley and
Rosenzweig, Atria Books, 2003), and The GIFTionary (Spizman,
St. Martin’s Press, 2003).
Give Thanks
To employees, be as generous
as you can afford to be. If your budget truly won’t
support an office party or larger bonuses, be sure to
include a note of thanks (preferably handwritten, or at
least with a handwritten signature) in their first
paycheck in December. If you can afford it, though, an
investment of some extra amount in that check will
usually reap rewards throughout the year and create less
stress for you in the long term.
Adjust Expectations
Even the best plans will go
awry occasionally, and holiday plans are no exception.
Creating more realistic expectations of yourself and
others can reduce virtually all stress. This doesn’t
mean you aren’t striving for excellence, but instead,
that you are giving yourself and those around you the
always-appreciated gift of understanding and patience.
Finding appropriate humor in the midst of frustration is
the sign of a creative mind and an outstanding leader.
Here’s to a happy and peaceful holiday season for us
all!
Mary McGinnis, MA, is a Licensed Mental Health
Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist,
who practices by appointment at her office in the Tampa
Medical Tower, 2727 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,
Suite 740. Her web address is
www.marymcginnis.com and
her phone number is (813) 874-7373. |
