A MINDFUL CHRISTMAS

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the New Year. Regardless of what it is you celebrate throughout December and early January, it’s such a vibrant and exciting time of the year; family travel from all over the country - sometimes even the world - to get together for food and festivities, and it can be wonderful. It can also be expensive, deeply stressful, and emotionally taxing. Just sometimes, though. The festive period is a lot, physically, mentally, and emotionally. For some people, it can be a bit too much to deal with - not just the days of celebration themselves, but the lead-up to the day can feel so overwhelming. Buying gifts, travelling, making plans, the changes to your surroundings, and the increased business of seemingly every location in your general vicinity can be very stressful. Add to this the fact that, as much as some people would like to think, COVID is still a very real and prevalent issue, there are additional stressors on people that can also very much take their toll. This isn’t even an extensive list of reasons the festive period might be a stressor for you - let’s not get started on the complexities of interfamily conflict or we’ll never finish - but there is a real pressure on us to enjoy the festive season, and to appear to everyone around us like we’re having a holly jolly festive season. The festive season might be about reconnecting with family and friends, but you also need to remember to take time for yourself. With that in mind, how can you go about having a more mindful festive season, which will hopefully make it more enjoyable for you!

TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF

Family dinners, people staying over, nights out, markets, work dos… it’s a lot of socialising. Socialising is something that takes an awful lot of energy for some people, and it can feel phenomenally draining to spend over a full month being very social. For a start, it’s totally fine to say no to things. No is, as they say, a full sentence, that does not require additional reasoning. If you don’t have the spoons, the energy, the means or the motive to go to something, you don’t have to go. Saying no can make some people feel guilty, but there are few benefits to spreading yourself too thin. That’s not to say we should shirk our responsibilities of course, but making time for yourself is, as you likely well know, important for recharging. Do something for yourself as often as you need: whether that’s snuggling up under the fairy lights to watch a Christmas movie, or saying no to a night out to do whatever you need to recharge your battery. Take time to do whatever it is that you need to do in order to ensure you get to enjoy the festive season at your own pace.

DON’T AIM FOR PERFECT

The saying “perfect is the enemy of good” was made for the festive season. It is, of course, a prime opportunity to make memories, especially if you have very young or older family and friends, with whom we feel a lot of pressure to make these special memories. Feeling obligated to create a perfect environment to celebrate the season can be so stressful, which can be compounded if you find yourself as the host or organiser of an event.

Your best this year is enough. It’s more than enough, especially considering the year we’ve all had. It’s more important that you get to enjoy the traditional eating, drinking, and being merry (if you want to!) than making everything perfect.

ACCEPT NEGATIVE FEELINGS

It’s totally fine to be overwhelmed by the festive season; as we might have mentioned, it is very overwhelming. Try not to feel bad if you feel stressed, guilty, or in too deep. This hasn’t been an easy year, and for some of us, it might be a difficult festive season. You don’t have to enjoy this festive season - or any festive season, honestly - but you also don’t need to shy away from being stressed out by it.

There are lots of reasons to feel negativity this festive season, and there are people and organisations which might be able to help you if you feel like you need support. The charity Mind (mind.org.uk) has excellent resources for anyone who is experiencing loneliness, stress, or more specific worries throughout the season - including worries about the rising cost of living, and relationshipbased concerns - and can help direct you to more specific resources.

Dream GET THAT JOB

BY JANE HATTON SETTING CAREER GOALS

SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Setting SMART goals allows you to clarify and focus your career ideas and job search efforts using your time and resources efficiently and effectively. Use this SMART formula to help you get clear on your career goals or use it to support your job search journey to help you see improvements and keep on track.

H

ere, we explore each

term more closely, with an example of how it might work in practice.

SPECIFIC

What do I want to achieve? Be precise, focused - identify the career goal and resources I will use.

Example:

By the end of the year, I will build my project management skills by seeking out work experiences where I will develop in specific areas of delegation, collaboration, and strategic planning. I will seek out a mentor and build relationships with my organisation to support my growth as a project manager leader

To do:

Arrange a meeting with my manager and HR - within two weeks.

Contact Evenbreak to organise career coaching - end of month. Identify three potential mentors or leaders within the organisation, request meetings and invite the best fit (seek approval from management/ HR) - deadline end of month.

MEASURABLE

How will I know the goal is achieved? How much change needs to happen? What actions will I take? What metrics/milestones do I need to meet?

Example:

I need to seek out a meeting with HR as well as my manager to support this goal. When I have had practical work experience backed up with feedback and delivered three results across the business, I will be able to evidence my achievements. This includes gaining knowledge, building my collaborations, delegation, and planning skills.

To do:

Set up a feedback system for collaborations: management, career coach and mentor by end of week. Agree with HR participation on mentor programme and/or a potential secondment.

Explore the possibility of a mentor outside my work, explore LinkedIn and explore courses via work and MOOCS.

ACHIEVABLE

Is my career goal realistic and attainable? Can I commit to this goal? Will the actions bring me results?

Example:

I can commit to these goals by breaking down the projects and into manageable tasks. I have identified three projects that allow me to move into action and develop my skills (delegation, collaboration, and strategic planning). Two projects have been agreed and a plan designed. I will also reach out to my manager in my appraisal to seek support and endorsement, start secondment/mentoring programme - set deadline.

RELEVANT

Why is this goal worthwhile? Is this relevant to my values and long-term objectives? Am I willing to commit? Would a delay prevent me from progressing?

Example:

Within the next year, this strategy will enable me to showcase my achievements to support my longerterm goal of moving into a project management role. I will develop skills, make connections, complete a PM course, reach my ambition to move into a project management role.

TIME-BOUND

What is the timeline for reaching my career goal? How long do I want to commit to this goal? Write down a target date - use metrics. When will I review and seek feed-back?

Example:

By the end of 2023 I will have:

1Identified three projects through the support of my manager, mentor and colleagues. 2 Had regular monthly meetings to check in with my manager to ensure I am reaching my goals. 3 Scheduled a monthly career coaching session with an Evenbreak Career Coach who will help me to identify ways to build these skills both in and outside my world of work and to help with a job search strategy. Have a go with this, using your own goals and priorities, and see if it gives your job search some useful structure.

To find jobs from inclusive employers who are looking to attract more disabled candidates, have a look on the Evenbreak website: Evenbreak.co.uk. To find relevant and accessible careers support for disabled candidates have a look on Evenbreak’s Career Hive: Hive. Evenbreak.co.uk.

MAGAZINE

TRAVEL REVIEWS

Expert travel reviews to help you make the best choice when booking your holiday.

PRODUCTS

An innovative mix of products to support you in everyday living.

EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION

Regular columns and features on getting your dream job. Providing advice on CVs, interview tips and much more.

PERSONAL STORIES

Inspiring tales from our readers.

COMPETITIONS

Exclusive competitions that give you the chance to win dream holidays, amazing products and once in a lifetime experiences.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

We look at sports and activities available for you to get involved in to help you lead a healthy lifestyle.

DAYS OUT

Great ideas for the whole family to enjoy.

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