Holiday Guide

MANAGING THE HOLIDAYS:
Seasonal Stress Strategies
By Mary L. McGinnis, MA, LMHC, LMFT

Every year about this time, the requisite articles appear telling us how to better prepare for and navigate the holidays. By now, most of us probably can recite the familiar seasonal messages about planning ahead, limiting consumption of holiday treats and alcohol, keeping our exercise routine, prioritizing time for family, and other tried and true recommendations to reduce holiday stress.

While all these reminders are useful, frankly, as a business owner or manager, they may sometimes seem idealistic or even naïve. For many business executives, the end of the year is the time we feel least likely to be able to slow down or reduce stress, as we work to meet year-end sales or income projections and other obligations related to ending the calendar year.

So, this year, maybe we should think about some more realistic guidelines to surviving, and maybe even enjoying, the holidays.

Stay the Course

November and December can be stressful enough without trying to jam entirely new ideas, procedures and technology into year-end objectives. If it hasn’t happened by now, spend your energy setting clear timelines for accomplishing those objectives in the coming year, then stick to those timelines.

Clarify Staff Limits

As early as possible, clarify for employees what procedures and policies apply to holiday absences. If you have a business that requires a certain level of staff in any area to operate efficiently, encourage employees to coordinate among themselves to ensure that the minimum staffing needs are met. Then tell them to present to you for approval any proposed ideas. This allows independent problem-solving, but gives you final authority. Also consider establishing (or have staff establish) an ongoing relationship with a reliable and appropriate temporary staffing agency to aid with unpredicted, but inevitable, absences.

Party Smart

Soon after Thanksgiving, count on getting a wave of holiday party invitations. Though you may want to attend every celebration, your business responsibilities continue. Often, many of the same people attend the same parties, so consider making your stops very brief, no more than 15 minutes, and visiting with the host and a few different people at each event. If business priorities completely prohibit your attending a particular function, schedule a lunch or other time early in the new year with the main host of the party you must miss, so you can stay in touch and remain on next year’s invitation list! An added benefit of limiting your stay is avoiding the gravitational pull to the cookie trays!

Party Smart-Chapter Two

If you decide to host an office holiday party for employees, customers or clients, make it simple but tasteful. Choose a small assortment of gourmet items instead of overloading with inexpensive, discount fare. It will make the event less stressful for you and your party planner and leave an impression of unique quality with those who attend. Also, provide healthy alternatives for those trying to stay on track with special diets, and limit alcohol to avoid issues of driver safety.

Shop Smart

Though some of us actually enjoy the hustle and bustle of shopping, when pressed for time, using on-line resources for shopping is a wonderful stress reliever. They’re open 24/7, no parking or lines, and you can shop for the best prices without leaving your chair! For quick and convenient ideas for holiday gifts and entertaining, a couple of books you might find helpful are Swell Holiday (Rowley and Rosenzweig, Atria Books, 2003), and The GIFTionary (Spizman, St. Martin’s Press, 2003).

Give Thanks

To employees, be as generous as you can afford to be. If your budget truly won’t support an office party or larger bonuses, be sure to include a note of thanks (preferably handwritten, or at least with a handwritten signature) in their first paycheck in December. If you can afford it, though, an investment of some extra amount in that check will usually reap rewards throughout the year and create less stress for you in the long term.

Adjust Expectations

Even the best plans will go awry occasionally, and holiday plans are no exception. Creating more realistic expectations of yourself and others can reduce virtually all stress. This doesn’t mean you aren’t striving for excellence, but instead, that you are giving yourself and those around you the always-appreciated gift of understanding and patience. Finding appropriate humor in the midst of frustration is the sign of a creative mind and an outstanding leader.
Here’s to a happy and peaceful holiday season for us all!

Mary McGinnis, MA, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who practices by appointment at her office in the Tampa Medical Tower, 2727 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 740. Her web address is www.marymcginnis.com and her phone number is (813) 874-7373.