"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." AGNES M. PHARO

Man finds radical cure for "Christmas Stress Syndrome"

John was exhausted, his feet were sore, his back ached. It had been a long, hard day's work - Christmas shopping with the family. From the rush to get out the door to the stress of finding a car park to making decisions about presents (and arguing with his wife about them). Christmas is not supposed to be like this, he thought to himself. Worst of all, they had only bought half the presents they needed to buy!

At the same time, same day, just down the road, Michael was relaxed, having a beer as he cooked on the BBQ for the family. Michael and his family had also been shopping, with little stress, had time to enjoy coffee and get the presents they wanted to buy and get home to enjoy the afternoon.

SO, what was the difference? A simple, yet powerful time creation strategy (which applies to business and personal life too!) Let's compare John and Michael.

***************************************
Get the 2010 Personal Best Year program for a short time only.
Was 2009 a Great Year for you? Would you like to have your best ever year in 2010?
Of course you do. But how do you get it to happen?
Use the 2010 Personal Best Year Program The 2010 Personal Best Year Program guides you every step of the way to make 2010 your Best Year Ever.
Get 50% off this week.

******************************************

The Objective

Michael (and his wife) made a list and got clear about who they were buying for AND 2 or 3 gifts they could buy for each person. John (and family) jumped in the car and headed to the local shopping center with a general idea in their head about who to buy for.

The Plan

Michael decided which shopping center to go to based on the presents they wanted to buy. They had done research on the internet and from "junk mail". Michael's family left the house just before 9am and headed directly to the stores relevant to the presents they wanted to buy. John, had no plan.

Outcome Michael and family bought presents for all but one person they planned to and were out for 3.5 hours including stopping for coffee.
John and family bought presents for half the people they thought about and were out for over 6 hours - coffee was "on the run".

I could go on, but I'm sure you get the point. And, you can apply the same strategy to your business. Think about your sales team - how much would your sales increase using this approach?

So how will you reduce stress and have more fun at Christmas?

Take time to plan and include FUN in the plan :-)

Action Plan:

Create a simple plan for your Christmas activities from buying presents to sending cards, to Christmas lunch or parties.

Christmas is a time to say thank you to our loved ones. Unfortunately the process of buying presents and organizing functions can create STRESS rather than LOVE.

A simple plan clears your head, reduces the stress and increases the fun and love in your life - I guarantee it.

The Gift of Time - for Christmas.

Last Christmas several of our clients gave their clients a coaching session as a Christmas Gift (and we don't charge you for it). It was a great success. Who could you give a gift of time to? Email us today : time@time-management-central.net

Did you know? The figure of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) that we know today was introduced by artist Haddon Sundblom in advertisements for the Coca-Cola Company

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer came to life in 1939 when the Chicago-based Montgomery Ward company (operators of a chain of department stores) asked one of their copywriters, 34-year-old Robert L. May, to come up with a Christmas story they could give away to shoppers as a promotional gimmick.

Related Articles:

Time Management at Work.

Time Management Principles

Links you should visit

1) How Play increases your intelligence. by Stuart Brown.

2) Time Management Central.net time management videos to inspire you to use your time wisely.