December 12, 2007

How To Lower Christmas Time Stress

In This Issue:

Feature Article: "How To Lower Christmas Time Stress"

Quick Tips: "How To Critique, Not Criticize"

Must Read: "The Attention Age Doctrine Part 2"

* FEATURE ARTICLE *

“How To Lower Christmas Time Stress”

For those of us who celebrate Christmas and the New Year, December can be a very special time of year.

But, for many, it can also be very stressful.

End-of-year work parties... having to buy lots of gifts... organising the Christmas celebration... having to decide where to spend Christmas Day... seeing family that we may, or may not, wish to see...

...or

...NOT having the money to buy gifts... NOT having loved ones to share Christmas with... NOT having a place to go...

...and so on.

These can all leave people feeling anxious, upset and depressed.

It's sad that what is supposed to be a happy time of year... can be so painful. So let's try to reduce the stress.

Firstly, if YOU feel stressed... don't be so hard on yourself! Remember, it's not the situation that is bringing you unhappiness, it's how you're responding to the situation.

Why not take a moment to reflect on why you're feeling stressed or unhappy.

Is there anything about that situation you can CHANGE?

Until a few years ago, for example, my husband, myself and our children would spent much of Christmas Day driving in the car, traveling from one side of town to the other, as we tried to visit everyone in our extended family. What should have been a fun day felt rushed and stressful. Especially with two cranky kids in the back seat!

Then we realised the madness of what we were doing and vowed that, from then on, we would NOT spend Christmas Day driving to everyone else's house, trying to appease everyone. We would, instead, spend Christmas Day in one location and if others didn't like it (which some didn't) that was too bad. We were not going to sacrifice our chance to celebrate this special day just so everyone else could be happy. After all, they could always join
US... and there were other days when we could catch up.

Now this is, perhaps, a trivial example of reducing Christmas-time stress. For others, the situation is much more grim. Like not having the money to buy gifts... or not having family or friends to visit... or not having a home, let alone somewhere to go on Christmas Day.

If that's you, then think about what you CAN do to make the most of this time of year.

Fortunately, this is a time when many communities, churches and charities organize events and activities specifically for people who might otherwise miss out. Find out what is available to you and join in!

Secondly, if you feel largely happy at this time of year, spare a thought for those who find it stressful or sad. If there's anything you can do to alleviate their burden... do it!

It could be as simple as giving them a bit more TIME - like minding their kids for a few hours, or letting them leave work early. Or it might be donating old toys or clothes to a charity. Or it might be taking someone out to lunch.

Whatever it is, remember: this is a time for giving. So let's give a little - to ourselves, and to others.

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* HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *

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Hypnosis is a very powerful and natural state of mind which just about everyone is able to achieve. With the Advanced Hypnosis MP3 Audios you can access this heightened state of awareness.

Read on...

==> Advanced Hypnosis Sessions

* QUICK TIPS *

“How To Critique, Not Criticize”

Although they have a common origin, the words “critique” and “criticism” have come to mean very different things.

While a "critique" is generally regarded to mean a neutral assessment of both the good AND bad qualities of something... a "criticism" has come to mean a negative judgement.

Understandably, a person is more likely to be open and responsive to a critique... and more likely to be closed to, and dismissive of, a criticism.

So, when someone turns in a poor performance, you're more likely to get through to them if you critique rather than criticize.

And just how do you critique rather than criticize? Here are four tips:

1. Focus on the performance, not the person.

2. Acknowledge the positives, as well as the negatives. (If there are no apparent positives... find one!)

3. Instead of saying things like "this was poor"... say "this could be much better if..." and make suggestions for improvement.

4. End the discussion with a positive (e.g. encouragement), rather than a negative (e.g. a warning).

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* HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *

“How To Avoid The Scams and Find The Right Work At Home Job, Business or Business Opportunity For You”

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of all the B.S. "work at home income opportunities" being touted on the Internet.

You know the kind - where you buy some turn-key "business in a box" that supposedly earns you millions while you sip cocktails at the beach!

On the other hand, I'm also tired of all the scare mongers who claim that it's impossible to make any kind of living working at a home.

How about a reality check?

1. You are NOT likely to make millions of dollars with any kind of "get rich quick" scheme. (It's either illegal or it doesn't work.)

2. You ARE likely to make a good income - maybe even a fortune - in a legitimate home based job or business.

What's a "legitimate home based job or business"?

Click here to read on:

==> Work At Home

* MUST READ *

“The Attention Age Doctrine Part 2”

If you're interested in where marketing on the Internet - and marketing in general - is headed, click below to get a hold of Rich Schefren's FREE report, The Attention Age Doctrine Part 2.

Rich's report is wonderful food for thought and he offers some solid ideas for how to stand out in a world increasingly suffering from global attention deficit disorder!

==> The Attention Age Doctrine Part 2

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