5 Ways project managers can have a peaceful holiday season!
As learned while preparing for a project manager certification — here are five tips to get you through this holiday season in peace.
1. Do Less
“Is she insane?” you could think right away. This is the time of year when there are infinite to-do lists, activities, and other possibilities to drive oneself insane. You are not obligated to accept every invitation that is extended to you. Doesn’t it say something that you feel obligated to attend an event since you only see the folks involved once a year? Are you going to exhaust yourself for someone you only see once a year? Why don’t you try to see them at a different time of year?
Remove any tasks that aren’t necessary from your to-do list. Every week, set aside at least one or two nights to go home and hibernate.
You don’t have to prepare each cookie from scratch, and you don’t have to wrap each gift like a professional. It’s not necessary to have the ideal wreath or tree. You must maintain your health and sanity.
2. Expect Less
Please don’t believe that having the perfect dress or suit for the Christmas party would make your life perfect. Don’t expect your lover to transform into the man or woman of your fantasies just because you gave them the ideal gift. Stop expecting others to provide you with the ideal gift.
So many individuals have such high expectations for the holiday season. The truth is that if you and your family don’t get along the rest of the year, the holiday spirit won’t miraculously make things better. The best time to work on your relationships is all year.
Try going into the season with little to no expectations and a lot of good vibes.
3. Smile More
Everyone you come across should be greeted with a smile. They may or may not reciprocate with a smile. It makes no difference. When you don’t feel like smiling, smile nonetheless. Your smile will eventually spread from your mouth to your soul.
4. Breathe More
If you start to feel fatigued and overwhelmed, don’t push yourself to peddle faster, as I learnt while studying for a project manager certification. Don’t go for the sugar and caffeine. Pause for a moment and take a deep breath. If you simply take a break, the world will not end. Sit quiet and take a deep breath. This can be done in your car, at your desk, on a mall bench, or in a restaurant. Don’t be concerned about your ideas; simply inhale and exhale. When you feel stress, anger, or negativity seeping in, do this. You’ll be surprised at how much a five- to ten-minute pause may help you centre and reenergize.
5. Give the Gift of Compassion
Do you recall the person who cut you off in line the other day at the store? What if they were upset because they had recently been laid off and all they could think about was “Will I be able to pay my rent on January 1st?”
When you’re compassionate toward people, you look them in the eyes with sympathy. Compassion allows you to tolerate your mother-in-constant law’s whining without becoming upset. “Wow, I’m sorry her sole way of connecting with the rest of us is to spout complaints,” you think instead. It’s a pity that she’s not happier.”
This is a very tough time of year for many people. Others are lonely or depressed, while others are haunted by memories of previous holidays. You’re completely unaware of what’s going on. You are under no obligation to do so. Simply go deep and replace dissatisfaction, irritability, and rage with compassion. Returning to the topic of ‘Smile More,’ it is impossible to think negatively and positively at the same time. Good ideas, rather than harmful ones, contribute to a peaceful and happy day. So it’s fine if you first practise compassion to make yourself feel better; it counts.
Need more insights on the same? Take on the PMP or CAPM Certification today!
