Stress can rear its ugly head at any time, but during the holidays it tends to storm in and put a damper on your festivities. The most wonderful time of the year … says who?!
Year-end deadlines loom closer and closer, the days are getting shorter and shorter (can you say “seasonal affective disorder?”), you’re already sick of the fa la la songs that have been streaming non-stop since Halloween, the kids have their winter concerts, your co-workers are losing it, too … and it all adds up to one ginormous “bah humbug!”
Unless you nip it in the bud and uncover the merry. It’s there; you just need to work a little harder to find it …
Look out for Number One.
It’s like the oxygen mask on the plane. You have to be able to breathe yourself before you’re any good to anyone or anything else. So, whomever is first on your gift list this year, bump them down to Number Two and put your own name in that prime spot. And make selfcare your gift to yourself. This truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
- Ask for help if you need it. If you’re overwhelmed, turn to your team members for support. Someday you can do the same for them. And in both cases, you’ll feel better as a result.
- Practice time management. Say what?!?! Yes, it may take a few extra minutes of creative thinking, but set aside some time for yourself in addition to work and that seemingly endless list of holiday tasks. Use this time to do something you truly enjoy. Make it non-work related and whatever works for you, even if it’s an hour of binging a favorite TV show – by yourself or with loved ones. The presents will get wrapped. The cards will get sent. Just not during your time.
- Cut yourself some slack. On that note, so what if the cards don’t get sent this year? Or if you send Aunt Elsie a gift card instead of trolling the mall to find that cardigan she asked for? Not to overdo the holiday cliches, but it really is the thought that counts.
- Give back. You may think there’s no way you have time to volunteer for anything right now. In which case, you may want to think again. Even if it’s an hour spent sorting the bazillion items that people donate to the local food bank every December. Or, that same hour spent taking care of your neighbor’s three little ones so they can practice some selfcare. Even the smallest act of kindness can have a huge ripple effect.
Working as a recruiter can also be grueling this time of year. But, you got this. For more tips on managing and growing your career – along with all the rest of the bells that are jingling way too loudly – contact Search Wizards today. We can’t wait to get your career on the success track for the New Year ahead!
