How to enjoy the holiday season in your business -

How to enjoy the holiday season in your business

This week, I had a pleasure of hosting my parents in London and exploring some amazing new restaurants, such as Little Social, a buzzy French brasserie from the chef of the moment Jason Atherton, and Koya, a traditional Japanese in the middle of Mayfair serving exquisite sushi.

New Bond Street

New Bond Street

Being out and about in London, I noticed how beautiful the city looks. Christmas lights look gorgeous this year. The mood is festive, even if  sometimes you have to see beyond the stress and the rush to feel it. This is the time to enjoy the magic of the season.

But it’s not all about holiday for me just yet. As you, I also have goals to reach, work to complete and clients to attract. Despite all the fun and festivities (or shall I say: in addition to), this happened to be one of the most productive weeks for me. I gave a seminar on how to create a magnetic brand, make useful new connections, was interviewed for an online article on personal branding and committed to finalise several writing projects.

It is not about how much work you do or how hard you push yourself. Being productive and enjoying the results of your work has more to do with your energy and mindset than the hours you put in. Before anything else, you need to believe that it is possible to enjoy the holiday season while also making big leaps in your work.

Here are 10 ways to enhance your December and embrace the magic of the season without giving up on your business.

1. Do something festive every day

I love drinking creamy hot beverages with cinnamon, it makes me feel festive. I light scented candles that get me into holiday mood. What are the experiences that make you feel festive? Perhaps it’s a special scent or wearing a particular style. Do at least one every day.

2. Include yourself on your gift shopping list  

Are you gifting yourself a present this Christmas or is it all about other people? Make sure to include yourself and take as much care with choosing your present as you do with other people. Gifting yourself is one of the most effective ways to raise your self-worth for me.

3. Clear the space for holidays

Holidays is a gorgeous time to connect with your desires and vision, which is very important for our businesses too. However clutter in our environment (physical and non-physical) overwhelm us and block us from connecting with our vision and receiving the clarity we seek. I love combining my decluttering with giving. Yesterday, I picked up a bag from Save the Children shop and will be filling it with things I no longer require. What are you ready to give up, give away or throw away?

4. Set a last day of work date

Just as offices close at the end of the year, us self-employed and entrepreneurs also need to know when our closed for holiday days are. The best part is we have more flexibility. It is important to decide this before the holidays begin so you can make any preparations required and have work and maybe tech free holiday. I decided that 19th is my last day of work this year, because it feels good. This will allow me to not stress about shopping and focus on my work before this date.

What date and how many days feel good to you and your business?

5. Celebrate your achievements

At the end of the year, it is customary to review the annual progress in the business world. If this is not part of your business practice yet, I invite you to set some time aside to do an end of year review and look back at your successes and achievements. So often we don’t take time to look back and acknowledge how far we have come and focus on what we have not yet achieved or created. This is not the time to criticise yourself.

My business styleIf you have bad memories from your corporate days of stress and anticipation, take a deep breath and relax. You can do your review in a fun and joyful way. Book some time in your diary, create a beautiful environment – candles, flowers, tea from a beautiful cup – whatever makes you feel special. Make a list of all your successes, big and small, and celebrate them. Yes, celebrate you and your successes. This is important for your business too. Remember bonuses for top employees in the corporate world? You need to acknowledge your top person too.

 

6. Connect with someone you admire

Is there someone who has impacted your life or business this year? Perhaps you went to a talk and came away inspired, maybe you read someone’s book and it empowered you or maybe there is a coach you admire whose webinar helped you to make a big step in your business. It could be someone you would like to work or collaborate with. Write a letter to this person expressing gratitude and admiration (or whatever you feel that you want to share). Experiencing resistance is normal. One thing to keep in mind: don’t expect anything in return. Receive pleasure from giving and embrace the magic of the season.

7. Create a gratitude list

Gratitude is a wonderful emotion. By allowing yourself to feel grateful for what you have already received and created in your business (and life) you choose to instantly feel good and you invite more goodness into your life. According to Danielle LaPorte, creator of Desire Map, gratitude vibration is very close to that of miracles. So open yourself to more miracles by taking time to express and feel gratitude for what you have achieved, experienced, created, felt, received this year.

8. Embrace the season

Remember, we are physical beings and nature is currently in winter season. Winter season is about slowing down, nurturing yourself, resting, reflecting, gathering strength to blossom in spring. By respecting the natural cycle, you will feel more in sync with your body.

Yesterday, instead of pushing myself to do writing all day, I listened to my body and went to a beautiful restorative yoga class with Katharine Wolf. Not only did I feel better physically, but I received many great insights during the class that assisted with my writing later. Kate reminded me of the importance of the season and I immediately gave myself permission to slow down. When you are feeling tired, remember about your natural cycle.

9. Don’t forget financial organisation

Book a couple of hours in your diary today to go through your accounts, both personal and business. Pay any outstanding invoices, make any transfers you need, make a payment to your credit card. Knowing what our financial situation is gives us a peace of mind.

 10. Write a vision for your business next year

Many people feel stressed during the holiday season because they feel unprepared for the year that is coming. Take time to create a vision for  your business in 2015. Go out somewhere where you feel inspired, or create a beautiful space at home, and begin to write what you desire to experience, be, create in your business next year. Imagine yourself living it. Bring out as many details as you can to help you feel it. Let yourself feel the excitement.

I would love to hear from you

Are you enjoying the pre-holiday season? What brings you joy in business and life. Share your answers in the comments area below.

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Are you ready to get excited about next year and to open to what is possible for you?

winter-look2How would you like to receive guidance on how to infuse more of your passions into your business and live your dream lifestyle? Would you like to create a vision that includes all your desires and begin to take steps towards it?

I invite you to book a complimentary discovery session with me here to find out where to begin.