Author: Paula Pollock, Source: ezinearticles.com
Around the holidays we are surrounded with friends and family, demands on our time to shop and socialize. Unless you are a monk, there will be mental challenges and pressures that can make you come unglued. Even in this time of giving, you need to focus on yourself to stay calm. It’s not much different than stressful times in your business.
When we’re stressed at work we start snapping at people, make poor decisions and take prisoners! Once we lock ourselves in our office, breathe and assess the situational realities we start to look at things clearly. It’s no different in social situations around the holidays. Families are not always kind, polite and appreciative. But, you have no control over them. You do, however have control over your reaction and your thoughts. If you can observe the situation with detachment, and take frequent self-absorption breaks you can create the best possible outcome.
I meditate (practice self-absorption) almost every day for 10-20 minutes. This helps keep me rooted in the present. Interpreting self-absorption as bad is common, but it is really just looking to yourself for clarity. Cousin Frankie’s version of “Smoke on the Water” with your son’s electric guitar might be annoying or humorous – it depends on your perspective. Practice mindful self-absorption. Better, put the guitar in the garage before he arrives! Peace on Earth
Sweet Aunt Marilyn was a great cook in her youth, but still wants to help you in the kitchen. Her walker and you cannot fit in your small kitchen so, instead of taking away her joy give her a task at the kitchen table that she can do while you both talk. Be sure to thank her for all the help. Peas on Earth.
This time of year can be boom or bust for businesses. Instead of bobbing along with the current, accept the seasonal reality and find a way to handle it. If it’s slow, plan your marketing for 2009 and set goals (more next week). If you are having a great season and feel stressed trying to get all the holiday preparations complete, delegate some things to others less busy or take the easy route of gift cards or prepared foods. Appease on Earth.
Find your center, whether it’s an hour on the treadmill or putting on your iPod while you clean the house. Self-absorption is where you can really keep your cool through the holidays with your family and your business. I have a friend with a home business and three sons under age 8. She hides in her bathroom with her iPod and listens to a particular song that always makes her happy. She even does this when visiting her in-laws to keep from commenting on their shitzu who uses the guest room carpet for a winter potty. Pee on Earth?
Okay, enough puns. Sanity comes with clarity. You can only control you and your thoughts. The only person you can hold to your level of expectations is you. This is a great time to set your sights reasonably low with your family and reasonable with your business.
Wishing you…Inner Peace on Earth.
Paula Pollock is Director of the Pollock Marketing Group: helping business owners attract consistent clients with less effort. To receive her quick-read, weekly marketing tips and her Special Report, “7 Client Attraction Secrets That Will Double Your Income,” Sign up at http://paulapollock.com.