 Here we are, once again: the year-end sprint. A winning strategy to slay this season will help you not only survive, but make the most of the time you have to focus on everything for which you’re grateful, make memories, and strengthen the relationships in your life that you value most.
Here are eight things to keep in mind and cross off your list with the holiday crunch shifting into high gear: 1. BEGIN WITH YOUR BUDGET IN MIND – Set limits for holiday gifts, entertaining, decorations and activities and stick to them so that you are not facing a blue January when the bills come rolling in. 2. TAKE INVENTORY – Make a list of the people in your life whom you need to thank with a greeting card or something of monetary value, such as a gift card or present: a. Colleagues b. Family c. Teachers d. Service providers 3. SHOW SOME HEART – Not all gifts need to cost you big bucks. If you have baking skills, consider giving homemade cookies in a decorative tin. A dear friend once delivered to me homemade Irish cream in a beautiful glass decanter with a fancy, sparkling bottle top. It was one of the most thoughtful, glitzy and delicious gifts that I have ever received, and my family has the bottle now to refill ourselves and fondly remember the gift. 4. PEN YOUR THANKS – Take the time right now to write out personalized notes of gratitude related to 2021, and make sure they’re delivered by year-end. The best gift that you can give those whom you appreciate is to speak your truth about the difference they have made in your life. If Covid taught us anything, it’s the importance of our relationships and our loved ones. Make this a priority and give the ultimate gift of connection…a genuine, kind word. 5. DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE – Shopping this year is proving to be tricky, to say the least, with the supply chain being tested to the limit. Get out to your favorite local businesses—sooner rather than later—with shortages likely and finish your online shopping right away to allow for shipping time. And a word to the wise: Get a few back-up gifts, such as bottles of cheer, boxes of fine chocolates, hand cream or other grab-and-go gifts for that last-minute someone who accidentally misses making your list or surprises you with a present. 6. BEAT THE RUSH AT THE POST OFFICE – Mail holiday cards and gifts with extra time to colleagues and loved ones, knowing that shipments will become slower and more costly the longer you wait, and many people leave town during the last week of December. 7. SCHEDULE SWEAT SESSIONS TO REDUCE HOLIDAY SEASON ANGST – We all can get anxious when we’ve heard Elvis’ “Blue Christmas” on the music channel one too many times. Anticipate that feeling now and plan times to work out. Who could be your walking buddy during the last couple weeks of December? Is there a favorite cardio class that you love but tends to book up fast? A sweat strategy could not be more important than during the season of caloric indulgence, high expectations, financial pressures, and stacked commitments. 8. BLOCK TIME TO SMILE OR YOU MAY FALL VICTIM TO YOUR TASKLIST – Schedule days to: a. Prepare for the big days b. Enjoy time with loved ones c. Carry out a fun tradition, such as a New Year’s celebration with friends d. Sit with your journal and a cup of hot cider to really be thoughtful about your lessons learned from 2021, resolutions for 2022, and commitments that could positively impact your life well-beyond the near-term This high-speed holiday train is not stopping! Make the most of the remaining days of this year to enjoy the ride.
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 For a successful start in basketball, getting to the championship game starts back in the locker room, on the first day of practice, before you even lace up your shoes. Once the ball goes up in the air and the clock starts, victory hinges on what you bring to the game and whether you can unite the team. Just like positions in basketball, when you are chosen for a management role – whether in your current company or a new one – you were picked because the “coaches” know you have the talent and capabilities necessary to help build a winning season. Here are ten tips for a successful start with your new career move: 1. There’s No “I” In TEAM Games can’t be won without support. Connections are everything in the fast-moving, often-isolated workforce of today. Develop a mindset that prioritizes networking because the need for allies, advocates and even favors is inevitable. What’s more, CEB says that companies now view “Network Performance” (“contributions to the performance of others”) as equal in importance to individual, task-based contributions. Even Michael Jordan needed Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson to win his six NBA championships. 2. Jump Out Fast And Get Into A Rhythm Be intentional about launching into your new role, and make meaningful connections quickly. 3. Preparation Is Paramount Just like practicing skills on the court, day in and day out, and visualizing play execution before a game, read up on your new responsibilities, the state of the business, and the issues with which you’ll be faced before you set foot in your role. Identify the latest technologies, lines of thinking and trends related to the position so that you can be a leader within your organization and your industry. 4. Get Back On Defense Regardless of whether you just scored or turned the ball over, get back on defense. Forget about any mistakes, and don’t slow down. 5. Keep The Ball Moving by realizing that sometimes your teammates can help you score, even if you’re not always handling the ball. Identify who can fill voids to make positive moves that advance your team’s goals. 6. Celebrate Your Wins and encourage your team members – it gives you strength, too! Expand your impact and results by cheering on those within your network, even if they’re not currently on your team. 7. See The Floor Become aware of your organizational context, including the hierarchy of relevant stakeholders and patterns of influence. Seek to navigate these relationships for your benefit skillfully and achieve optimal team performance. Within almost every organization, people’s ability to do their work effectively is impacted by their relationships with other individuals, teams, and groups. 8. Identify Team Captains and empower them with the ability to weigh in on important decisions. Place your focus on “opinion leaders” who can help influence and drive a positive and impactful culture. 9. Cross-Functional Collaboration For athletes, cross-training is a great way to avoid burnout and build new strengths. Similarly, cross-functional collaboration can make you and your teammates more agile. It also generates creative ideas, such as new ways to meet business targets. Additionally, embracing and encouraging work-life balance is key to ensuring all team members reach their peak performance on the job. 10. Prioritize Health Great players know that spending hours on the court requires fuel and rest; before and after…even the best players need time to recharge. In the past, taking on a new role often equated to over-indexing on work, with no balance or attention paid to health and well-being – not anymore! To be successful, prioritize your health, as well as the health of those around you. “Load management” isn’t code for lazy; it’s a recipe for success. Remember that a game isn’t won with a single shot, and a season isn’t won in a single game…it takes sure footing along the way. For a successful start, executives amidst on-boarding manage their boundaries and leverage their networks to create mutual wins for all. This article was originally published by The People Development Magazine: https://bit.ly/3p7W970  |
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