Yahoo Lifestyle Plan to Get Ahead This Christmas
By Paula Robinson
Do you tend to plan or to procrastinate in the lead-up to Christmas? I was recently having coffee with a good friend who said, "I'd prefer it if Christmas never came. I always have so much to do, and there's always so much I haven't done."
Failing to address upcoming events and challenges can do more than amplify anxiety; it may also chip away at your health. A recent quantitative review published in the journal Health Psychology compared conscientiousness to wellbeing. It uncovered two behaviours contributing to more buoyant health: being organised and being persistent.
But if thinking two steps ahead comes anything but naturally to you, the European Journal of Psychology suggests the following fix: put good intentions into action with an implementation plan—a strategy that breaks down the what, when and where of the Christmas season or any other big challenge on your horizon.
Get in the mood
Research by American psychologist Barbara Fredrickson found that when we experience positive emotions, our brains release more of the chemical dopamine, thereby boosting our openness to new ways of behaving. In this case, you would embrace the practicalities of planning. Kick-start your positive mood by making your favourite drink, sitting in a quiet place, turning off your mobile (so you're free of distractions) and putting on a CD that
brings a smile to your lips. A boppy Ella Fitzgerald or a croony Michael Bublé does the trick for me!
Now that you're in the zone, ask yourself what you've achieved this past year. Write down these successes—whether big or small—and take a moment to reflect on them positively. Have you logged something positive for your health, like taken a 10-week Pilates course or joined a gym? Have you thrown a surprise party for your partner’s birthday, taken your mum on a weekend away, changed to a job you love, negotiated a pay rise or learned to bake a cake your friends love?
Paint a picture
Imagine how you want Christmas to be—a casual family lunch around a trestle table in the park, or just you and your partner tucked away in a beach house, or a 3-day event delivering presents and sharing the Christmas spirit with a wide circle of friends. Next, make a list of all the things you need to do to achieve that vision. By setting everything down on a page, you free your mind from the task of remembering and give it space to focus on the practicalities of actually getting things done.
What are you left with?
Under each task, get specific about what it requires. If it's 'present buying', list those you need to select gifts for and how much you'd like to spend. Use magazines for inspiration if you're stuck for ideas; jot down stores you know your gift recipients like so you can check them out on your designated shopping day.
When will you put the time aside? Open your diary and block out realistic times for hitting the shops (for example, 3 hours of late-night shopping midweek and 4 hours one Saturday or Sunday morning).
Where will you go?
If you have three shopping times planned, pick three venues that offer the most variety. You might choose a big department store, a boutique plaza and a fantastic market that stocks original clothes, jewellery, photography and artful cookware.
With your plan in place and your diary blocked out for action, slip on your party shoes and enjoy the rest of the season.
Paula Robinson is a registered psychologist and co-founder of the Positive Psychology Institute in Sydney.
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