It’s time to dump. First me. Then both of us together if you’re into that sort of thing. 
It seems like every holiday season, I somehow blow something regarding work – something falls through the cracks, or some emergency arises that causes stress and bad will toward men.
I don’t mean for it to happen. Of course I don’t. But that’s kinda irrelevant, isn’t it?
This year, I’m trying to recognize that shortcoming with two FULL WEEKS to plan and do before the holidays.
Want to plan and do with me? May I give you the gift of valuable, precious time this holiday season?
Cool. Let’s dump.
Open a new document or grab a legal pad. Grab your dayplanner or calendar. Let’s purge all the things you have to do between now and January 7th.
Seriously. I know it’s, like, three weeks away. Start simple – with what you know. The stuff you’ve got to do this week. Is it scheduled? Have to write something? Have you schedule a writing time? Are your currently scheduled meetings on your to-do list?
Now, figure out a way to cram in some other stuff these next ten days, so you can further enjoy the subsequent days. Schedule it. Stay up late. Get up early. Whatever.
Here’s where I want you to get: I want you to be able to goof off, play, and share valuable time with those that matter to you the ten days between Christmas eve and Sunday, January 2nd.
If you start thinking AND PLANNING now how to fit everything in you need to get done, you’ll have little to do that goof-off week between Christmas and New Year’s. Fill that time with eating, reading and being merry. Stay up late. Get up early. Whatever. You’ll feel unburdened by the daily stuff.
It’s coming. You can work like heck before it gets here, or you can feel unfocused, do the bare minimum each day to get by, and find yourself facing fear, stress and anxiety heading into the new year. You’ll have to turn your back on those that love you and want to spend time with you.
Those I love deserve better, err, I mean – those you love deserve better.
So do you, by the way.
Why, I believe, in fact, you deserve the biggest slice of roast beast.
Let’s get to work.
Yes, I want the large slice of roast beast! Thanks for this action-inducing post. I will be enjoying some goof-off time! ~Heidi
I am so doing this. Getting out my legal pad and writing both lists for work and for home. I have so much to do between now and my birthday (January 8) that this totally works for me!
I really love this idea–especially because over the holidays I’ll have a houseful of kids–including daughter home from her first semester of college–plus a friend visiting from Nigeria. How much work will I really get done under the circumstances?
Will map out your suggestions on my mongo desk calendar and see if it’s really doable for yours truly.
Thanks!
Happy Holidays, Heidi! We’re having some of your weather here in the central US. For your Christmas present, I’d love to give it back to you. 🙂
It’s a perfect reason, Amy. Enjoy some much deserved goof-off time after your hard work. I subscribed to your blog today. I look forward to reading you.