15 Dec Top 10 Leadership Tips for the Christmas Holidays
Let go! It’s time for rest and renewal. You’ve worked hard and it’s time to focus on you and your loved ones. Planned regeneration will make you more fun to be with and more alert, focused and creative when you return to work, so…
1. Enter ‘vacation reply’ into your email settings, turn your computer and phone off and read Arianna Huffington’s latest book, ‘Thrive’. It’s easy to download on Kindle.
2. Schedule daily activities with family and friends.
3. Meditate for 15-20 minutes 4-5 days a week, first thing in the morning is best. It’s amazing how deep breathing can calm you right through the day! This is a great strategy to continue when you return to work, it helps you make considered decisions rather than rushed responses and stands you in good stead when those mini crises appear.
4. Exercise at the very least 3-4 times a week: walk along the beach or around the lake, go hiking, try golf, ride a bike, go swimming, go skiing, if it’s too cold for you then go to the gym. Of course regular exercise must continue if you are to function at your peak when you return to work.
5. Eat slowly and savour your food. Try some new recipes and wow your family and friends. Try a new restaurant and order something you’ve never eaten or drunk before.
6. Plan some adventures and micro-adventures. Consider travel, abseiling, hiking, skiing, camping, visiting the zoo or nature parks, bushwalks and bird watching. Interacting with nature is great for your health and it really stimulates your thinking. A weekly micro-adventure is a must once you return to work.
7. Make magic moments with your loved ones: watch the sun rise and set, notice the sunshine sparkling on the water or the new tracks you are making on glistening snow fields, point out the full moon, enjoy conversations at meal times, tell people you love them and be grateful for these special moments. Continue enjoying magic moments all through the year.
8. Make sure you sleep at least 7 hours everyday. Get into the habit of thinking of the three best things that happened to you during the day just before you fall asleep. This eliminates worry, improves your sleeping and applies to the whole year.
9. Listen to music every day. Consider singing and dancing along. I read somewhere a long time ago that music is as good for you as sunshine.
10. Celebrate all that you have achieved this year. Start a Journal and write a list of your accomplishments and marvel at the person you have become. Jot down any creative ideas that pop into your mind and soon you will realize you are writing goals for yourself. Keep your Journal going throughout the year, add inspirational quotes, the names of good books, how you are feeling, what has happened and how you coped with it and soon you will notice what has worked for you to be at the top of your game and loving life. Keep doing it.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a great holiday!
If you would like leadership advice to improve your focus, creativity and drive contact Maxine at Think Strategic.
