Sounds like a weird title doesn’t it? If you are like me the holiday season gets crazier every year. If we are not careful we can let all the DOing and GOing preoccupy us from the real meaning of Christmas. A time to celebrate. A time for taking time to enjoy the things that really matter. A time for peace. But a short quick to a local Target can get anyone to Grinch out. The good news is that I get to choose how I will respond to the chaos of Christmas. And I have a method that proves successful for me in these times. I hope that my method may help you in some way!
5. Download
Sometimes I have trouble accomplishing everything that I need to simply because I am thinking of it ALL at once. My mind moves from one “gotta do this” to “gotta do that”. By the time my mind bounces I have wasted precious time thinking and not actually doing. My first step is to sit down and make an GINORMOUS LIST (Name that Christmas Movie?). Seriously, I write down everything that I can possibly think of, until I cant think anymore. Sometimes I will do this over a matter of hours, keeping the list handy until I have downloaded every task that is on my mind – big or small. I have to admit that something about making a list is fun for me and I have even been known to get out colored paper or makers and style up my list. As I think of new things throughout the process, I simply add them in.
4. Delete
Now that I have vomited on paper, I can breath a sigh that I am not going to forget something. More importantly I can see what has been controlling my thoughts and take control of it. If you are like me, you are probably taking on MORE than you should. What can you delete from your list? What can you postpone? Begin crossing things off. Free yourself. Let go. You are not all things to all people. So give up trying to please. Choose the things that represent you as a person, that fulfill you and you are passion about. If you are not, pass it on to someone else. Take time to rest, to pray, to “veg” – “lay like Broccoli” (anybody got this movie quote?).
3. Determine
Once my ginormous list is done and now things have been deleted, I determine what takes priority over the other. This week I used this 1-5 numbering system:
1 – to be done in the next 24 hours
2 – to be done in the next 3 days
3 – to be done before Christmas
4 – to be done when my schedule clears after Christmas
5 – still on the list, but have no time frame of completion
2. Detail
Once I have list numbered, I redo it (or reorder if I’m typing it in Excel). I will put a big “1” and list all the things to be done first underneath. I will follow with “2” and so on. Now I can focus on all the number ones – my priorities! From there I will go to my number 2’s, and etc. With everything on one list you can also plan different time blocks where you can package all the like tasks – such as…errands, calls, online orders, etc. Make the most of your time and gas!
1. Do
Now that you have spent the time making the list and the plan, let’s make it happen! Before I leave for errands, I run through my list, making sure I have grocery bags, receipts, and etc. for each task. I mark each item off as I do it; the more I accomplish, the more that I am focused to accomplish more. Through all the doing, I make sure I am resting and re-cooping.
Make the choice to have a great holiday season! Don’t spend too much time doing but being with the people that you love.
Merry Christmas!!
Greta this is so awesome! But in general a great way to deal with Life!
Merry Christmas to you!
Greta
This is wonderful advice. I am a “ginormous fan” of lists I like to make a list, and revise it as I get things done. I also have been known to add something to my list that wasn’t on there just so I could cross it off my list.
I also like to fancy my list up. I usually do it on my computer so I have to find just the right graphic, and just the right font, and just the right color of ink and paper to put my list on.
These are great tips from you today.
Another fabulous blog post.
Glenda
Love your blog! You have such a talent for writing!
Happy Holidays!
~Andrea/ Nanny Alliance of NY & NJ