This year I am approaching the holidays a little differently. Well for me it is different, for most of you this may be a normal way to view the Christmas holiday period.

Until recently I put other peoples needs ahead of my own nearly all of the time.  This included being accessible by phone and email over the Christmas holiday period for my clients.  I would have the stats off but was available to assist my current clients and potential new ones as they worked through their career or life goals during this time.

Does this sound familiar or can you recognise this trait in someone close to you?

What I have learnt this year is that in order to be focused, productive, energised and on top of my game I need to take time out just for me.  To recharge my batteries, to get clear on my own priorities and to spend time with people who are important to me.  Basically to get a life!

If you are working through the Christmas holiday period or find it difficult to let go of work the following tips may be of value to you.

• Dedicate an hour a day to do something you really really want to do. 
• Only have 3 items on your to-do-list each day and remember to include something fun.
• Make a list of all the people who are important to you and make plans for when you will see / speak to them over the festive season.
• Take time to acknowledge 2010, the year that was.  Reflect on everything you are proud of, your learning's, your achievements, when you had fun, and what you might do differently next year.
• Think ahead to 2011- what is your intention for the next 12 months?  How will it take shape?  What do you want to say you have achieved this time next year?  Who will still be in your life?  What adventures have you been on?  How will you have grown?
• If you are planning on finding a new job, make some time to review your CV and update it so it is ready to go.  Don't be complacent and think there will be no job ads until late January / early February.  You never know when the opportunity you have been seeking will show itself.
• Harness the energy you have for your 'new years resolutions'.  Record your resolutions / goals / intentions and make a note in your diary to come back to them in the second week of January.  Then decide if they are still relevant.  Ask yourself "do they still inspire me?".  Rate how important it is that you achieve these this year.  If you are still fired up - create a plan of attack with times frames.  This is the step most people leave out and then don't actually get started on their resolutions.  If you struggle with this perhaps book a session with a coach who can guide you through the process.

So what am I going to do differently this Christmas holidays?  I am putting up the "closed" sign from the 22nd of December until the 10th of January.  I will have an out of office on my emails and only answer my phone if I know the caller, otherwise let it go to voicemail and return the call when I am ready.

I am not committing myself to any work during this period and will not feel guilty about being unavailable.

Life is for living, and working is a way in which we can earn an income to support the life we want to lead.  Ensure you are living the life YOU want to lead in 2011, not the life others think you 'should' be living. 

Wishing you and your family safe travels over the Christmas holiday season.

About the author

With Tracy you can be sure that your career goals, whether you're changing jobs mid career or later in life, will be met with a customised career coaching programme. Coaching opens the mind to alternatives, new thinking, solutions and different ways of approaching situations. It is also a time of reflection, self-evaluation and big picture thinking.