Simple not Stressful

Here we are almost at Thanksgiving and we know that once that day passes, before we turn around Christmas will be here.

The secret to this time of the year, or any time, in order not to get stressed, is to decide in advance that you are going to stay calm, as relaxed as possible and organized. It’s all about how you choose to think and how you plan so that when the holidays arrive you are not still running around the day before buying gifts, groceries or whatever and completely stressed.

There’s approx 4 weeks until Christmas Eve. Once Thanksgiving is over, if you haven’t already made a plan, take a few minutes and get it done. Here are a few suggestions:

• First, write out everything that you need to do before the holidays that don’t include working. Keeping it in your head doesn’t work. Writing is more productive.
• If you are going to volunteer to help serve a meal to the homeless or something similar, make sure you arrange your days around it so that you can do it with ease and grace.
• Prioritize. By doing this you will know what needs to get done now and what really can wait until a week before.
• Write out a gift list. Think about what you want to buy each person so that you have some idea when you get to the stores. Schedule in your planner exactly when you intend to get this done. Make it an appointment with yourself.
• If you are making the holiday meal, write your grocery list and buy and pre-cook as much as you can in advance.
• Simplify, simplify and simplify even more. Whether its work related or not, don’t make everything into a big production. It just needs to be warm and friendly. The connection you have with the people you love is the most important thing at holidays.
• For those of you who have children who will soon be on holiday break, plan ahead so that you have things organized to keep them busy, line up a babysitter, grandparent or friend. Do whatever is needed to keep Mom from getting overly stressed.
• One of the most important things is to remember to breathe. When you are feeling tight in your shoulders, do shoulder shrugs and take deep breaths, it releases tension.
  

One of the most important things to remember is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. The holidays are about having fun and being with friends and family.

Have a wonderful, fun filled and joyful Thanksgiving.

‘Til next time
Here’s to your brilliance and success.



PS. If you haven’t yet bought my best selling book, The Astonishing Power of You, our bonus providers very generously said I could leave up the page. So, if you missed it last time & would still like to get the $2,000 in free gift bonuses please go to http://www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com/book.html. Many people have bought multiple copies as holiday gifts.

Money is not the be all and end all of everything.

Having just finished my new book launch and having The Astonishing Power of You reach #5 on Amazon’s best selling list on November 1st was very exciting and I am so very grateful and thankful for every single person who contributed to making it a successful launch. We have extended the special gift offer until November 21st. If you missed it and would like to receive $2,000 in FR^E bonus gifts check out the details at http://www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com/amazon.html.

Unfortunately, two days after the launch I got really sick with some kind of nasty flu virus that knocked me for off my feet and for 5 days I was barely able to work so I’m now getting back on track and very grateful to be feeling better and more energized. I got well enough just in time to attend the certification program that I had committed to many months ago and this past weekend I became one of the first certified Simple Abundance leaders with Sara Ban Breathnach, which during 2008 will allow me to facilitate simple abundance workshops using her material.

Meeting Sara and being taught by her was truly a delight. For someone who is so well known and has been on Oprah more than 12 times, she is one of the most down to earth, real people that I’ve met in a very long time.

I always talk about gratitude being so important and during this past week this became re-enforced in so many ways. Although money certainly makes life easier, and being a business coach I teach people how to create wealth, there’s so much more to life. As I’ve said in the past, abundance isn’t just about money. Look around you, take in life, see the little things and become truly grateful for what you do have instead of focusing on what you don’t have. Money is not the be all and end all of everything.

As we reach the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas I encourage you to start thinking of all the ways in which you can give back to your community, your friends, family and the world at large. Money isn’t always the answer. Volunteer to serve food to the homeless, (I like to do this on Christmas day) baby-sit for a single Mother so she can have an hour to herself, read to the elderly, there are so many ways. By giving, we truly receive so much in return.

Have a truly happy and wonderful Thanksgiving and a great week.


‘Til next time
Success and Brilliance

PS. I am excited to share with you a new book called The 7 Pitfalls of Single Parenting: What to Avoid to Help Your Children Thrive after Divorce, by Carolyn B. Ellis. If you are separated or divorced with children you don’t want to miss this powerful new award winning book. http://www.thriveafterdivorce.com/booklaunch.html

PPS. Remember, if you still want to purchase a copy of my best selling book The Astonishing Power of You and receive $2,000 in FR^E bonus gifts the offer will only be available for one more week. Check out the details at http://www.theastonishingpowerofyou.com/amazon.html.