Two Lists For the Holidays

All week I have kept trying to tell myself that it is still October. Saying it is November rushes me to Thanksgiving and then it's a free fall to Christmas. "There's so much more I want to get accomplished this year!" I tell myself. And I feel the tension rising as I fight to stay motivated to tackle the ever increasing list of things undone.

Too often in the past I have literally wrecked my holiday season trying to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of each day. While it may have helped get one or two more items marked off my task list, I found that I was not enjoying time with family, friends or even myself because I was tormented by things not yet accomplished.

This year I offer all of us "Type A" personalities a different approach. I have identified 4-5 projects that are a priority for me for the remainder of the year that can be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time before mid December. After I get those done, anything else will be "icing on the cake." I am pledging to myself not to miss the joy offered by time with family and friends during the holiday season. As I say in my new book, Some things happen only once.

If you have not already done so, get started on this list of 4-5 priorities. That exercise might also help reduce your stress with that OTHER list-the gifts for those special people in your life.