Christmas is Coming - Seven Strategies to Prioritise Your Wellbeing

As its early December, many of us will be turning our sights on the festive period and doing a lot of juggling and the feeling of pressure is real! So its great that Calum Campbell is focusing on wellbeing in the festive season. Calum Campbell is a leadership consultant and coach based in the North of England and you can connect with him via www.linkedin.com/in/calumeamonteducation

So take a moment out to read this blog and share your thoughts. What will you do differently? #AdventBlogs

Reaching the holidays in one piece can often feel like a major achievement for those in demanding leadership roles. I know. I’ve been there.

If you’ve got any energy available before Christmas comes (even just a small amount), I’d highly recommend investing in a few moments to plan for using it as an opportunity to focus upon your own wellbeing. This will allow you to enjoy the break you deserve and return to your role refreshed and ready to be the leader you know you can be once again.

Image of Langdale Valley in the Lake District, looking over Stickle Tarn taken by Calum Campbell.

Here are seven strategies to consider within your own context -

1.     Put yourself first when making plans… and don’t feel guilty

Many of us know the analogy of the oxygen mask in an aircraft emergency (put yours on first or you’re no use to others) and it makes absolute sense. This is especially important when you will have more time available to spend with your loved ones. You'll be much better to be around if you're feeling positive and energised.

2.     Protect your time

You may want to complete a few work tasks over the holiday but be disciplined in how you manage it. Prioritise social events / hobbies etc and plan discreet ‘work time’ around them. Have blocks of time set aside to use for work tasks when the weather is poor or family are involved in other things that you’re not part of. Try to keep work blocks to an absolute minimum or it defeats the object!

 3.     Get rid of your ‘to do list’ and create a ‘priority list’

I read this tip in a book (but can’t remember which one) many years ago as a new leader. The aim is to reduce the pressure you feel when you have (inevitably) not ticked off everything on your ‘to do’ list on the last day of work. A priority list allows you to recognise that you’ve completed the priority items you’d identified. Those not completed can be addressed after your holiday.

 4.     Be kind to yourself

We may have to be comfortable with the fact that some things may slip off the table every so often, even during a holiday! Voltaire argued that ‘perfect is the enemy of good’, so try to consider what’s fair and reasonable to expect from leaders – i.e you! I’ve since heard the use of the phrase, ‘Perfect is the enemy of great!’ used in the United States, so you may want to determine a standard that you’re genuinely comfortable with! Also, use the time to recognise and reflect upon your achievements and celebrate these!

 5.     Try and spend some time outdoors

Ideally, this will be in a place with lots of fresh air and nature around you. There’s growing evidence that humans benefit greatly from reconnecting with the great outdoors, even for short periods of time. Combining this with exercise (at whatever level you’re comfortable with) is an added bonus. Involving family and/or friends can be a positive too… unless you need some time on your own to unwind and clear your mind!

 6.     Use the holidays to prioritise quality sleep

Ensure those around you know that you’re focusing upon this and support you in appropriate ways. Sleep is hugely important for human health but can often be neglected when the intensity of a working week leaves you with a number of things to mull over afterwards. Enjoy the opportunity to turn off the alarm clock!

 7.     Rest, don’t just relax

Try and think back to a time when you truly rested. This should be a time when you were not involved in anything other than restoring your energy levels, physically, cognitively and emotionally. Relaxing activities can be fun and rewarding but often require concentration and energy at a time when you need to conserve and build it. True rest is different. Aim to get yourself to a point where you’re comfortably bored… and stay there for a while. You deserve it!

Now think ahead to the last working day before Christmas, when you will set your email ‘out-of-hours’ reply and turn off your computer. Are you going to consciously plan for your own wellbeing over the festive period?

The 7 strategies outlined in this article should be ‘doable’ for most leaders but doing things for oneself often gets neglected. It’s not New Year’s Eve yet, but can you make a resolution to prioritise your wellbeing this holiday? Whatever you do, have a great one!