Holidays, Goals and Lots of Noise

The Holidays are officially here. And despite the politically correct name, it is officially shopping time, party time, vacation time, family time, gift-giving time, bonus time, travel time, TV time, and of course, the Facebook posting time. 

 

It can also be an emotional time, spent reflecting, remembering, and reconsidering what you mediocrely did in the past that can be done better in the future. 

 

New plans and goals are made. Some of them are even kept and achieved. Most, unfortunately are not because plans and goals made in the heat and emotion of the moment are often not realistic.

 

So while the corporate world is buzzing with next year's action plans and online marketplace is screaming which gadgets you absolutely must buy, because apparently everything you own will be obsolete in less than 7 days, maybe, for just a moment, you can block their noise by 

• Hanging out with kids. They make you forget about adult hassles and welcome you into the world where being silly and awkward are rewarded with laughter, where stories are not judged and promises are kept.  
• Getting together with people closest to you.  And telling them how grateful you are to have them in your life. Trade memories, share ideas and raise a toast to new adventures. 
• Staying realistically positive. Everyone struggles, at home, at work, at the airport. Anywhere you look, it seems like a challenge, or an annoyance-of-sorts is lurking in the shadows. Pay a tribute to it with a glass of wine, or your spirit of choice, and move on to something that will make you laugh. 
• Making peace with at least one person. There's someone you'll see during the season that's not your favorite. Don’t succumb to negative impulses, maybe even say “hello” and see where it goes.   
• Being your own Santa. Make a list of gifts to buy for yourself! Something nice. Something you really want. Celebrate yourself, your past year and your next year. 

And as much as I want to keep work out of this post, I cannot. Many of you will be working. Hopefully the time and effort spent in the office will get you one step closer to achieving your professional goals in 2016.   

 

With all that, I wish you and your families good health, happiness, laughter and love. May you enjoy the time with the ones you love, the ones who love you, the ones who keep you safe and the ones who give you comfort.

 

Let this be a Very Merry Christmas and let the New Year bring new adventures, professional successes and personal victories into your life.