Holiday Time Off = Increased Productivity and Innovation

 This may be helpful advice as the holidays approach and people take time off. have found seven key ways in which taking time off can enhance a person's work and career. Here are three of them.

• When people are in the cycle of workaholism, they get exhausted and single minded. Taking time off is rejuvenating and we have more energy to get work done.

• Taking time away from work, can relax our minds, and when we come back we can look at our work in a different way.

• Taking time away  from work is important for mental and physical health and when we come back we are able to get more done in a shorter amount of time because workaholism can be a time waster.

• Taking time off will make you aware of issues you have in your life  that work may mask because you are busy.

• You'll be in a more relaxed state of mind and be able to either find solutions yourself or have time to get the support or information  you need to resolve those issues.

• You'll have more interesting experiences to discuss at work  and can implement your new ideas.

I took three weeks off to go to Europe with my son this summer. I came back with new ideas, passion and more relaxed.

Simma Lieberman's Inclusion Blog: Holiday Stress Hotspot #4: Anticipation and Expectations

Simma Lieberman's Inclusion Blog: Holiday Stress Hotspot #4: Anticipation and Expectations

Holiday Stress Hotspot #4: Anticipation and Expectations

Holiday Stress Hotspot: Anticipation and Expectations

• Be realistic. Just because it's the holiday season, family issues will not suddenly disappear and everything will not be perfect.
• Adjust your expectations. Expect a few bumps in the road at family events and gatherings and you'll be better able to deal with them.
• Relish traditions. Focus on those little traditions that evoke positive memories for the holidays: songs, events, rituals, and more. Consider creating new traditions if older ones are marred with mixed memories.
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Manage Holiday Stress Hotspot #3: A Lack of Time Stress

Holiday Stress Hotspot #3: A Lack of Time

• Complete your gift shopping early. This will relieve you of one of the biggest time stresses during the holidays.
• Refuse Invitations. You don't have to go to every party you're invited to. If party going becomes a chore or exhausting, step back and slow down the pace.
• Take time for yourself. With so much emphasis on time with family and friends, many people feel guilty taking time for themselves. Take it. When you consciously plan to have alone time, it keeps you empowered and reduces possible feelings of melancholy during the holiday season. You will also be also be less overwhelmed by external stimuli.
• Share the tasks. Don't take on too much. View your to-do list as an opportunity to spend time with people. Share responsibilities and your tasks will take half as long and be more enjoyable.

How to Manage Holiday Stress Hotspot #2 Holiday Expenses

Holiday Stress Hotspot #2: Holiday Expenses

• Set a budget, and stick to it. Don't buy gifts that you'll spend the rest of the year trying to pay off.
• Think of alternative ways to give gifts (set up a gift exchange, make some handmade gifts or foodstuffs).
• Choose inexpensive ways of entertaining and enjoying. Have a potluck party instead of providing all the food yourself.
• Do activities with family and friends that cost little or no money: go on walks, have a movie night instead of going to see the latest blockbuster together.
• Give the gift of a phone call or note. Let the people you care about know how important they are to you with words, not expensive gifts. Most people need this type of nourishment in general and may need it even more during the holidays. It may be the best gift they get.

How to Manage Holiday Stress Hotspot #1

Holiday Stress Hotspot #1: Gifts 

* Make a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for.

* Look for gifts you can buy for multiple people. Similarly, look for stores where you can buy many gifts for a lot of people. 

* Plan a few back-up gifts, generic gifts with blank cards for people you might forget or who unexpectedly give you a gift. 

* Focus on the point of gift giving: showing your appreciation for someone. Enjoy the process of finding them something they'll like. 

* If you don't like shopping, plan a single gift shopping day. Make this day sooner than later to avoid the holiday shopping craze. 

* Or, don't go shopping. Thanks to the internet and catalogues, there is enough time to order gifts so you don't have to leave your house or office. 

* Better yet, take off the whole month of December and go to the mountains where no one can call, email or page you. 

Technology + Workaholism = No Life

Technology + Workaholism = No Life

A journalist called me today to ask whether technology helped or hindered life/work balance. She said that she had spoken to several people who told her that “smart phones,”  “Skype,” smaller laptops etc. just furthered their workaholic behavior, and that they had even less of a personal life because they were always connected.

Is it the fault of technology or the fault of the person using it?  If your whole life is your work, then you’ll use your technology to keep yourself busy, and not take time to enjoy your friends, family or personal life.

If having a well-integrated life is important to you, you’ll find ways to use technology to your benefit. Instead of being in your office waiting for that one important email, or having to go into work when you don’t feel well, you can take your smart phone with you to the movies, or to an event and check it periodically for that email.  You can bring your laptop with you, and use technology for video conferencing when you need to stay at home and rest.

Carve out time when you won’t check email, answer the phone, or just be available. It’s up to you if you want to be at everyone else’s beck and call. Don’t blame your cell phone.