getting motivated

This time of year, it seems like there's always so much to do: shopping (of course), decorating, baking, visiting friends, volunteering, sending Christmas cards, and the list goes on and on.

Sometimes, it seems so overwhelming, you have trouble deciding where to begin and what to really do. I find that a priority list helps a great deal. I make a list of the most important items i need to accomplish and i make this list both weekly and daily. It helps tremendously to put everything in perspective and to give you a feeling of accomplishment as each item is ticked off, completed.

What normally gets left out? Personal time. I know how dificult this is, but even ten minutes spent filing your nails or some extra skincare time can help replenish that sense of self. We get so caught up in the "holiday hustle", we forget how important this is. I use the airplane analogy to explain this: on an airplane, if the cabin suddenly depressurizes and the emergency airmasks drop down, we are instructed to apply our own mask first and then help others. Do you see the usefulness of this analogy? It points out the importance of taking sufficient care of ourselves to enable us to take care of others. An especially valid point for those of us with children!
So, make your lists, use them and don't forget your emergency air supply for coping with these hectic times.