What are you going to unwrap in 2012? - December 21, 2011
I wish I was all ready for the holidays and that all the presents were wrapped and under the tree on the Winter Solstice but alas, I am not. My almost 5 year old is so excited for Christmas this year. Mommy was rushing around this last 2 months and did not plan things out as well as she would have liked. Getting to a store seemed challenging, so Kate and I looked up everything on-line and sent an “e-mail to Santa” with all the items she thought she’d like within reason. She learned about the cost of some of the latest fads, and I was pleases when she’d ask “is that too expensive Mommy?” And if I said “Yes it is.” There were no tears and she was cool with it.
Fortunately she cannot read a lot yet so she did not know the “e-mail” actually went to ToysRUs.com and Amazon.com, but everything arrived today and she is not even curious what the multitude of boxes were. So strange. So we will wrap all this stuff in the next couple of days and we will assume Santa will eat the milk and cookies as he squeezes himself through our gas powered fireplace.
For Santa, and what about the reindeer?
My husband got a snow blower (not going to risk another February of 2010 again) and I splurged on an iPad for my business so I can be more productive on the road, vs squinting on the iPhone all the time. I didn’t even wrap it! But it is under the tree so I have something to open.
But what I plan to unwrap in 2012 is a revitalization of the business. Refreshing new energy that will keep me focused. A marketing plan I can follow to keep me challenged. Hiring some help to allow me a better chance of achieving my goals. When you have dedicated, loyal, smart people to help you it makes those lofty goals achievable.
These are New Year’s Commitments, not resolutions. Resolutions feel like they are optional because I never have to actually achieve them, and I do not hold myself accountable.
What are your strategies to hold yourself to the fire to get your dreams closer to a reality?
Who are your support network that you can count on to help you get there?
Don’t have one? Then get out and meet them! It is so much better to get things done with and through others.
I already have 2 speaking engagements and 2 trade shows on the books before the end of May and I am hoping to line even more up! Some are pro bono, and I believe in the law that when you give joyfully, you will receive in return. That is the energy I am unwrapping to start out the New Year.
What are you going to unwrap in 2012?
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Tags:Amazon.com, iPad, iPhone, Toys R Us
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This time of year conjures up all kinds of things for people. Some are cheerful fans of the holidays, others view it as arduous and painful. Many have lost loved ones, and this time of year is also notorious for depression if one is in a compromised state. Those holiday sweaters are dug out of the moth balls, and my husband’s holiday socks make their annual appearance.
I am a “Thanksgiving” fan myself. Christmas and the reason the season I love, but over the years, and as I get older, all the preparation and aggravation have tainted me a bit. I met some dear friends and colleagues for lunch in Tysons Galleria in Vienna, VA yesterday and it literally took me 30 minutes to go a mile to get to my client meeting due to all the holiday traffic (and construction, but it was 1 pm!) Alas, I have a half a basement full of an over abundance of holiday decor, so my family spent two days spreading the holiday cheer around, blasting those carols and we are now officially festive. We are a bit over the top donning 6 themed trees. One less than last year, did not go on the annual ‘cut your own’ tradition in lieu of reunion deployment.
It helps to have a near 5 year old to assist. Kate is a big helper, so what had previously felt like a lot of ‘work’ was actually a little pleasant. I am reading Facebook posts from friends that have all the decor up, presents bought and wrapped, cards sent-100-200 of them, and ready for Santa to sache down the chimney in a 10 days. That is just a lot of pressure! But I am now feeling a little jingly.
So what is happening in the workforce? If the fiscal year is ending as the calendar year ends, it is mass chaos and a lot of stress. The magic of the holiday season is compounded by unrealistic demands and hours that are seemingly unavoidable. Some companies reward their organizations with the week between Christmas and New Year’s off. I think this is smart – for a number of reasons.
1) The obvious benefit, and positive morale it generates.
2) When everyone is off, the likelihood of tons of emails and requests are minimized, so employees can actually be ‘off.’
3) How much work actually gets done during this week outside of the CFO’s office? (speaking non-retail here!)
4) How much energy do we actually have left after that crazy month of December?
5) Great family time opportunity to make up for all the late hours throughout the year.
Plus, January kicks off a new fiscal year for many of us, new goals, resolutions, commitments which requires a renewed energy and drive. You hit the ground running after the Rose Bowl and if you are lucky, a long weekend honoring the amazing Reverend Martin Luther King awaits.
I highly encourage as many of you as possible to make a commitment to the ‘winding down’ process that the last week of December can provide. Turn off the electronics that keep us connected to work if possible. January is around the corner. A whole new year to make a difference awaits. You have earned this! Do yourself a favor, make a conscious commitment to prepare yourself for the ‘ramping up.’
Big things await!
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