I’m having a conversation on repeat with my clients—how do I stop feeling so overwhelmed by the holidays? (And these are just the people who are asking that question, a lot of people just assume it’s going to be overwhelming and don’t even think to ask if change is possible!)
Steven Covey’s now-oldie but goodie book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, offers a way to keep priorities and values called “ROLES AND GOALS”. I love this way of thinking so much that I teach it in workshops, to my clients, and have used it personally for about thirty years now.
Covey suggests that we all have several roles in life: spouse, parent, friend, business owner, child of God, church member, and volunteer are some examples. “Roles and Goals” works by: thinking through each role, what your goals are for that role, and then planning out the steps to accomplish those goals.
Here’s how it could look when thinking about December:
ROLE: PARENT
GOALS: To be connected, celebrative, and remember the spiritual component
ACTIONS:
- spend individual time with each kid sometime this month
- set aside two evenings to go drive around looking at Christmas lights
- have a cookie making party
- buy each kid a special, personal present
- read our church’s advent devotion at dinner
- help each kid think through their gift giving and donations
ROLE: Child of God
GOALS: To tend my soul
ACTIONS:
- to protect my morning coffee and Jesus time
- to attend church each week of Advent
- to connect with my prayer partners twice this month
- buy for and deliver gifts to a family in need
- plan two “nothing” days after Christmas to slow down and rest
Now, you put these activities into your calendar first, before you fill the calendar with other things! Getting these things on the calendar right away protects the time for the things that are most important before you get swept away in the rush of life.
Spending a little time on this TODAY could really make a big difference in how your time plays out in the next month.
Remember, being overwhelmed does not have to be your automatic posture in life! You can do little things along the way, like “Roles and Goals”, that aren’t very difficult, but help a whole lot!
Blessings to you all!