It’s important to remember that the first word in the phrase, “Happy Holidays” is “Happy." While many people consider this the most wonderful time of year, it can also be a very stressful time of year, especially for those of us that have businesses that ramp up during December. With all of the obligations, crazy schedules, out of town guests, and hustle and bustle, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that we need to enjoy it.
I preach to our team at Footers that although we have to work long hours, late nights, and many consecutive days in a row, we are part of other peoples' celebrations and we play a critical role in bringing joy, fun, and happiness to those celebrations. I think the same goes for our personal endeavors. I know there are always a few events or gatherings around the holidays that I don’t necessarily look forward to for one reason or another, but when I shift my mindset to one that is open to having a good time or learning something new, that experience usually ends up being pretty rewarding. Over the course of my blog, I’ve talked a lot about perspective and the power of the mind. This is one more example where the situation will be what you make of it. If you think your spouse’s work holiday party is going to be lame, it probably will be. On the other hand, if you are able to appreciate family being together then you might actually enjoy a conversation with that in-law that you typically would avoid.
This is why it’s so important for us to approach each event we work with that positive attitude, knowing the impact we can have in helping to create exceptional experiences for our clients and their guests. Don’t forget to take stock of your own daily attitude during the month of December as well. When we are feeling tired, stressed, or frustrated we are unable to do our best work and our ability to creatively solve problems is compromised. Making it worse, our teams tend to absorb those feelings that we exude leading to a terrible trickle down effect on their performance. I know not every situation is that easy, but with a little shift in mindset and a pep talk to yourself and your team, it might just make your holidays more enjoyable.
Happy Holidays to all of you—with extra emphasis on the “Happy."
SEE Anthony Lambatos at Catersource 2017. Click HERE for a list of his appearances.
