7 Ways To Wreck Your Holiday Season

It happens to almost all of us.
Maybe it’s when you’re frantically shopping two days before the family gathering.
Maybe it’s when you realize the holidays gobbled your focus at work.
Or maybe it’s when you notice you’ve taken care of everyone else — except yourself.

And the words slip out, “Next year will be different.”

But what if this year could be different?

Drawing on the lessons from Juggling Elephants and Focused As a Bee, here are seven warning signs that your holiday season might turn into a blur — plus what to do instead.

At Work

1. You expect coworkers to have the same level of focus.

As busy seasons collide — holidays, end-of-year work, personal commitments — many around you are juggling more than usual. It’s easy to get frustrated when email responses slow or things stall. Instead, set clear, realistic expectations. Ask your team:

• What must be done before the break?

• What can wait?

• What support do you need to stay focused?

This kind of clarity protects your energy AND your team’s.

Want more on focus and time management? Check out the podcast I did with Product Mastery Now, How To Improve Focus In A Distracting World — where I lay out the “six permissions” that help you stay intentional, even when chaos tries to steal your attention.

2. You miss the chance to show meaningful appreciation.

Holiday time tends to lower people’s defenses and open hearts. That makes it a perfect time to express genuine gratitude.

Think beyond a polite “thanks.” Highlight specific contributions. Show people you see their efforts and value them. That kind of acknowledgement builds relationships and trust.

For more ideas for expressing leadership gratitude, check out my blog post Blueberries or Tomatoes? The Juicy Truth About Leading People Well.

3. You treat the end of the year as a time to coast.

Yes — slower rhythms, shifting priorities and all that. But that doesn’t mean your mind has to idle.

You could use this downtime to focus on planning for next year. Sketch goals. Decide what you’ll prioritize. Make early decisions so January starts with momentum, not chaos.

This is the kind of insight at the heart of Focused As a Bee. If you’d like to learn more about how to focus with intention, check out my playlist on my YouTube channel.

“Focus is the intentional direction of your time and attention toward what matters most.” 🎁

At Home

4. You cram every celebration into a few days.

Family dinners, gift exchanges, parties — they all land within a tight window. The “cramming it all in” strategy often leads to fatigue, stress, and a blur of memories.

Instead, if you can, try to spread things out. Leverage quieter early-January days. Stretch the season so you get to savor it.

For more on long-term rhythms and why spacing matters, you can check out my list of Free Resources. There you’ll find articles and tips on everything from 12 Really Good Reasons To Ask for Help to When A Lack of Balance is Okay. And, if you can, 25 Ways To Fight Procrastination. 😊

5. You overwhelm yourself (and others) with gift giving pressure.

Remember this research proven fact: Over time, people value experiences more than material items. Plan a trip to the movies, a meal out with a friend, or some simple experience they would enjoy. And reflecting back to my previous point-don't try to cram it into an already overloaded schedule. Give them something to look forward to after the holidays. They now get to experience the joy of the gift twice… once when given and once when actually used.

Giving yourself permission aligns with the core “permissions” in Focused As a Bee — the permission to prioritize what matters most over what seems urgent or loud.

6. You overlook the gift of self-renewal.

When everything else demands your time — family, work, travel, hosting — it’s easy to forget abut you.

There is value in the cycles of work, rest and renewal. Without protecting your downtime, clutter and obligations will fill your schedule before you even notice.

Plan now for the "gifts" to yourself over the holidays. It might be calling a friend you've been wanting to spend time with and getting together. Schedule a round of golf or plan time for engaging with a hobby or interest. Put it on your calendar and refuse to give it up unless there's an emergency.

If getting away from home isn't an option, watch a marathon of your favorite movies or binge watch some TV shows-alone or with a few carefully selected individuals.

If you are looking for more ways to avoid feeling overwhelmed and how to manage work, relationships and have time for yourself, add my book, Juggling Elephants to your reading list and you’ll discover a better way to balance it all.

7. You forget how precious this season really is.

Years move faster than we expect. Every holiday season seems shorter than the last.

I have often asked myself, “Where has the time gone?”

With that in mind (and heart), I enter this holiday season longing to embrace every moment with all I have. Whether it's a hug from a family member or a call from someone wishing me a "Merry Christmas," I don't want to take anything for granted... and wreck my memories of the holiday season.

This holiday, slow down. Notice the hugs. Savor the laughter. Value the moments that don’t make headlines — but make memories.

  What steps will you take to ensure that you don't wreck this holiday season?