Are you ready? Christmas is mysterious. Ready, set, go.
Growing up with my seven brothers in Australia, the anticipation that would build up as Christmas got closer each year was epic. We would count how many sleeps we had until Christmas. The energy was electric. It was like watching pressure build to launch a rocket. Welcome back to Best Christmas Ever, where we are exploring 28 ways to make this your best Christmas ever. Number seven is harness the power of anticipation. In January each year, I encourage team members to plan half their vacation time for the year.
The reason? To harness the power of anticipation. 50% of the benefits of a vacation come from anticipating that vacation. When there is two feet of snow on the ground in February and work is a bit overwhelming, if you have a few days planned in a warm place in April, it changes the way you experience the pressure of work and the cold weather in February. When my father was dying of cancer, he would focus on the next event, a trip, the birth of a grandchild, a family wedding. Those events became his focus instead of the treatment and were no doubt part of what allowed him to live so much longer than his doctors thought he would.
Anticipation is powerful. Tell your friends, children, spouse, and grandchildren what you are looking forward to experiencing with them this Christmas. You can help those around you experience advent simply by saying, I'm really looking forward to going to church with you on Christmas Day. Harness the power of anticipation and put it to good use this Christmas.
Are you excited for your best Christmas ever? I know I am. But before you go, let's talk about how to avoid your worst Christmas ever.
It's not easy to have a great Christmas in a world where everyone is striving for what isn't worth having. Welcome back to 28 obstacles that will prevent you from having your best Christmas ever. Obstacle number seven is superficiality. Superficiality is destroying our culture and our souls. Don't be afraid of the serious. Don't be afraid of deep thought. A bit of serious reflection is deeply agreeable to the human spirit. Make a point not just to have small talk. Have some real conversations this Christmas. Watch a documentary, read a book, study an issue, escape the superficiality that is an obstacle to having your best Christmas ever.
But remember, find your joy, guard your joy, follow your joy, not just happiness. It seems our culture has confused happiness with comfort, and following comfort will lead you to misery. Find your joy, cherish your joy, guard your joy, and follow your joy. Busy is not your friend. Only a toxic friend leaves you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, discouraged, exhausted, stressed out, inadequate, and resentful. It's time to take our lives back from this time we call busy. It's time to slow down to the speed of joy. Click the button below to join the Ambassadors Club today, and we will send you a free copy of my new book, Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy.
Have a great day
