The holiday whirlwind...

I am wrapped up in it - the whirlwind of the holiday season.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is only 15 days away.  I feel overwhelmed with all that I have to do and all that I want to do before the end of the year. I am also overwhelmed with the thought of all that I want to do to make 2014 even better than 2013. Then throw in my wonderful family, their needs, homework, sports, and making dinner...I am wrapped up in the whirlwind of the moment. Sometimes I even feel beaten by the whirlwind.  Do you?

As a Take Control Coach I spend a lot of time listening to my clients and helping them pause, step back and gain some perspective on their current situation.  My role in a Take Control Coaching session is help the client realize and "take control" of where they are, so they can identify where they want to be. Ultimately we get to a point of filling the gap between those two places, but before any of that can happen, we have to step out of the whirlwind.

I encourage you to take 15 minutes and step out of your whirlwind and gain perspective on your current situation. Here are a few questions to considering during that time...
1. What is really important to you right now? Are you focusing on what matters most?
2. What do you want to accomplish before the end of the year? What do you need to do to get it done?
3. Can you de-clutter your mind by letting go of something you have been worrying about that is out of your control? Do it!
4. Can you de-clutter your schedule by declining an invitation to something that is less important to you than something else? Can you reschedule dinner with friends to the new year when it isn't so busy, so you can spend an evening at home?
5. Is there someone you know who is struggling right now and could use a few words of encouragement. Call, text or email them!
6. Is there someone wearing down your patience? Can you try to find a little breathing room to give you more space between their stimulus and your reaction?
7. Can you stand outside in the cold for 2 minutes and just let it all go? Let the frustration, anger, concern, exhaustion pass through your fingertips so you can start fresh when you go back inside.

Don't let the next 20 days be like those days when you feel like you have worked your tail off, but realize that all you did all day was respond to email or do laundry. Stop. Pause. Step outside your whirlwind for a few minutes each day, it will still be there when you return, and you might have a chance to enjoy the season/your family/your career/your favorite TV show or book while your are at it.

Take Control... Simplify... Make it happen!