Holiday Success Strategies for Greater Love, Health and Wealth
Are you suffering from “Holiday Haze”?
I don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news, but let’s face it: We all tend to lose our minds a little bit this time of year. And you guessed it: the three biggest holiday stressors are are linked to relationships, money and health. (If you don’t agree, you likely are reading this on another planet).
While everything in nature says “hunker down, cuddle up and relax in reflection”, our brains say otherwise. With endless to-do lists, holiday obligations, festive celebrations and grand gift-giving, what’s a (normally) sane a person to do when life’s smooth ride turns into a tinsel-trimmed roller-coaster?
Whether it’s the too-close-for-comfort contact, Black-Friday spending sprees, stress-induced colds and ever-growing waistlines, there ARE ways to stay sane this season. Promise…
FINANCES:
If you’re ready to have an A.W.E.-inspiring relationship to money this month, try out these three steps in the coming weeks:
• A: Awaken your Awareness.
Getting a clear perspective on your spending is a critical first step. Start by listing ALL of your holiday expenses before the holiday season begins so you have a clear understanding of what your grand goals are really costing you. Consider using an Excel spreadsheet to tally every detail. Then, cut back (or cut out) accordingly.
• W: Work out Other Options.
Look for ways you can reduce the above expenses. Consider making memories by making gifts instead. Get creative and think outside the box for other options to express your gift-giving greatness!
• E: Expand your Focus.
Going unconscious around seasonal expenses can be very costly (in more ways than one). Building up debt wreaks havoc on your health, your love relationships, your soul and your sanity.
But planning = power. Get a jump start on next season by dividing your holiday expenses by 12. Then open a Christmas Club savings account at your local bank so this monthly amount is automatically withdrawn. Voilá – 2011 is a stress-free season of spending!
RELATIONSHIPS:
Now, let’s take a look at your holiday relationships. Here are three tips for turning human headaches into H.U.G.’s this month:
• H: Have Heart.
“Heart” is the reason for the season. It’s the foundation, the undercurrent and the juicy, joyful meaning beneath our typical consumer-craziness. Check in to make sure you’re coming from your heart (and not your head) before making any holiday decisions or declarations, and you’ll reduce seasonal stress by 99%.
• U: Understand and have Compassion.
With extended visits, tight quarters and extreme socializing, nerves can easily get frazzled and fried. So don’t take things personally. Bad behavior only happens when people are majorly out of whack or super stressed out, and is NEVER to be taken personally. So when people behave badly, cut them (and yourself) some slack.
• G: Give Big.
This time of year it’s easy to think more about getting, than giving. But we all know deep down that the act of giving generously and lifting another up feels better than any wrapped-up, bow-topped gift. “Giving big” means to stretch your giving-muscle, make merry miracles, break open your heart till it hurts and let the love gush out. Changing another’s life is the way to change your own…
HEALTH:
Now, let’s focus on health so that binges and burn-out are at a minimum this season. Here are three ways to experience more J.O.Y. this month:
• J: Just Relax.
Winter is a time to slow down. But if you’re like most people, you’re speeding UP this time of year. So try a leisurely pace in all areas of life: try walking, talking, breathing and eating S-L-O-W-L-Y this week. If meditation isn’t your style (yet), at least take scheduled nap, book, bath and beauty-breaks. Savor and saunter throughout the season.
Not only will you experience more pleasure and less stress, but there’s no better way to a smaller waistline than to eat, taste and chew mindfully.
• O: Open to Support.
Are you handling everything by yourself? While this strategy is great for a professional juggler, it does nothing for the modern multi-tasker. Learning to ask for help, delegate confidently and lean on those around you is vital to staying sane. Make it a practice of stretching outside your comfort zone each day by asking for help. Even small support can be the start of something big.
• Y: Yell “Thank You!”
The energy of gratitude not only floods the system with instant stress-relief, but also helps you focus and open up to a whole new world of wonders and miracles. What you think about, you bring about. So taking time out this season to fixate on the fabulous, express your appreciation, and give a soulful shout-out will get you farther than all the previous eight steps combined.
Hopefully these nine holiday reminders have you feeling healthier, wealthier and wiser already! And if you’re eager to sink into even more support this season, I’ve created a transformational, interactive and super-fun stress-busting holiday series, plus a few other holiday goodies only available this month: http://www.WholeForTheHolidays.com
Don’t let this very special time of year pass you by year after year – seize the season, step into your power, and set the sizzling stage for big, beautiful things awaiting you. The support and success you deserve is just around the corner…
With love and success,
Stephanie
About the Author:
Stephanie McWilliams is a Celebrity Launch Strategist, former host of HGTV’s “Fun Shui” and founder of YourSpaceForSuccess.com. Stephanie champions women on the verge of big breakthroughs to get unstuck and become unstoppable. She helps removing hidden blocks and stop sneaky self-sabotage, launching women powerfully into their purpose so they can finally make the difference they were born to make.
