Do The Opposite During The Holiday

While we don't regularly admit it to people, we often feel depressed or overwhelmed during the Holiday season. We can have a positive attitude going in but we just know, as tradition, family, friends and people we know are going to criticize something about us during the Holiday get togethers. It can be our job, aspirations or even our kids or us. This Holiday season let me suggest use a strategy I have used for years.

First, understand that even if some of the people are family members, friends or people you have known for years, they can be stupid lat times like other people. The media and everyone around them seem to preach this endless "victim" mentality we hear from Washington, that swallows them up. As you know, bad influences sink into most people and their thoughts or actions. You can certainly argue with them but you are better to understand they are reacting to something else. That something else can be their jealously that you seem to have a direction in your life and are going after your dreams and goals while they gave up on theirs. With that in mind, consider the following.

Limit the time you spend with the people who always have to criticize. There is no rule of how much time you have to give them or even if you have to hang out with them. Be positive about yourself and what you are working on for next year. Understand they don't know the whole picture and whatever "advice" they give you is from a lack of understanding of what you are talking about or to keep you from accomplishing another level of success. People are strange how they are somewhat happy we succeed but they really don't want to hear about it because it reminds them of what they haven't done. Understand the most successful people have always been the one's that had a vision of where they wanted to go and took action, no matter what. One of the best strategies can be to schedule time away from the annoying people during the season to just visit with the people you want to!

Finally, take a few minutes to think of the people in your life this year that were kind to you when they didn't have to be. Do something for them that lets them know you remember. In my case, my kids love to bake cookies for the doctors and nurses I have to interact with. They are always so happy fighting over them at the hospital. Buy or make simple little reminder gifts for the people you work with that help versus complain. Give or make them something that makes them shine when someone notices their gift from you!

I encourage artists I work with to have a house concert where they play for free to those people who have supported them so their fans can become friends. Ask them to bring can goods and drop them off at the local food pantry. Find ways to help others during this season versus standing there being criticized by those who don't do anything.

Feel free to send me ideas of what you are doing that I can share with others!