12 weeks to a stress-free Christmas

Believe it or not Christmas holiday season is upon us. Fundamentally, we think about it as family and friends getting together for an enjoyable and fun-filled holiday. It's also one of the most, if not the most, significant commercial times of the year. If we procrastinate now, in a few short weeks we'll be putting ourselves through needless stress and worry - both at work and at home.

No, it's not too early for individuals and corporate employers to take stock and plan now so that getting through the holidays is relatively seamless. That way everyone will know the game plan pre and post-holiday season. Even a loose plan will make for a more enjoyable holiday season.

Consumer magazines and retailers alike are launching Christmas earlier and earlier. In fact, this year some retailers like Selfridge and Harrods in the UK started vending way back in July.

As astonishing as it might be to see Christmas paraphernalia popping up in July, it has no doubt sparked our early thinking about preparing on the home front and at the office. So what could we be doing now, to ensure we all enjoy a less complicated, less stressful and more enjoyable Christmas - whether at home or at the office?

With the traditional slowdown at holiday season - companies will want to keep the momentum going into the early part of 2012 and beyond. There is a cultural tendency (and expectation) for people to want to relax, enjoy themselves and recharge their batteries. But for some it's simply a stressful time no matter how much planning they do or don't do. For most, as celebrations approach, it becomes harder and harder to focus on work or to be productive. It then falls to leaders to set goals, set the tone and work with employees to be their best - before, during and after the holiday season.

Having a checklist to plan and get the most out of the time leading up to and following Christmas is helpful to stick to the bottom line. Preparing your organisation to stay on course and ensure annual objectives and deliverables are on track and completed as planned maximises efforts. If there’s a plan, even those left behind at the office can have a relatively stress free time while senior management has a comfort level that work is getting done. Here are some broad points to consider.

1. Identify and communicate your company's official holidays early so everyone is clear.
2. Identify key business targets for the period and set up meetings for January to review target performance. This will help staff understand expectations and to motivate and focus the organisation to operate as effectively as possible over the period. And contingency planning will help manage any slippages.
3. Recognise that your clients and suppliers will be slowing down as well and this will affect the rate at which your employees can accomplish goals and targets. Reflect this in your business planning. Communicate with major clients and suppliers to help manage your own and their expectations.
4. Review staffing plans and confirm staff leaves making sure there is coverage and that employees have work-life balance options. Communicate about who is or is not working to your management team and those who need to know.
5. If you have remote teams, check to make sure they’re on point with the rest of the organisation in terms of what the business plan is over the holidays and of course, make sure consideration is given to them on options for work-life balance as well.
6. Appoint one senior person and a backup (who are on holiday leave) as point persons to help manage any emergencies, particularly if your company is going with a skeleton staff and have major deliverables on the horizon.
7. Organise Christmas card lists and gifts for key clients, prospects, suppliers and business partners to build and strengthen relationships into the New Year. If you hold client appreciation receptions – plan early to ensure a good attendance and to minimise costs.
8. Organise the staff Christmas party early and carefully - and get people involved in some fun way but don't make it seem like a punishment! Plan to give a general thanks to the organisation. Be sensitive to diversity in the workplace - but do celebrate Christmas.

Now that you've considered what a checklist for your company might include, time to turn to the family and friends bottom line of Christmas. Be mindful that these days many of us want a smoother, less stressful Christmas. It's a good time to take the financial pressure off and think a little differently to reduce the emotional and financial expectations normally associated with the festive season. So, while we're at it, let's continue making a few quick mental notes for the home front.

9. Plan some time off so you can enjoy the season with your family and friends. Whether you travel or stay local, focus on your holiday time and leave the office behind.
10. Commit to and organise for less stress. Baking, presents wrapping, card writing even small emergency gifts can be stocked up on now as well as dinner and brunch planning. Enlist family members to help.
11. Avoid post-holiday let down by breaking the cycle of over-spending. Be thoughtful of how you appreciate colleagues and loved ones - a card, a letter, a simple coffee after work. It's more personal and let's face it, time is a gift we often overlook. Invite relatives and friends for dinner, lunches, or brunches to help you reconnect with family and friends. This will leave you perhaps tired but with a sense of place and belonging - maybe less worried than if major bills started rolling in in January. Make plans with those family members and friends for the New Year if you can’t fit them all in. (Some of them will be secretly relieved as well.)
12. Take care of your health. Develop a plan to smoothly slide back to reality when the fervor is all over.

Start your personal and business lists now so you can glide through the season with confidence and with the ability to appreciate and enjoy your colleagues, family and friends. And so that you have a comfort level that things will not go off the rails. Remember, it's only 12 short weeks until Santa climbs down that chimney!

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