3 Ways to Re-Energize Yourself and Your Career This Holiday Season

You work hard and play hard and if you have a young family you just work hard and don’t play at all…ever. It’s mid-December, your reviews are done, the multiple holiday parties you were asked to attend mostly complete, and you are counting down the days to the Christmas and New Year holiday - period. In order to position yourself to jumpstart your energy and keep the fire going to keep your career momentum strong come Jan. 2, 2014, follow these three suggestions on what do to do while resting up this holiday season.

• Stay off your work-related email for at least five days. Resist the temptation of responding to your VP or ED for at least five days during the holiday period. Turn on your out of office. I recommend disabling your email or (gasp!) asking someone to change your login password from Dec. 23 to Dec. 28 while you focus on yourself and your family. No one needs to hear from you over the holidays. Deals AREN’T getting done, reports WON’T be read, and those early morning weekly calls WON’T happen. Unless you are the group head or CEO of the business whose personal net worth is literally dependent on driving business results 365 days a year (and even these mega-workaholics are more exception rather than rule), you should be able to enjoy the time off without risk of job ruin. Everyone is human and needs a break, so for the love of Pete, take it! You’ll be better for it come the new working year.
• Spend half a day at the gym or at a spa and RELAX. At minimum do this once, and if possible do this three times. If you have young kids, invest in a babysitter or drop them off at Aunt Jane’s for the day and take your significant other with you while you do this. A couple’s massage is a great way to re-connect with your husband, wife, or special someone over the holidays. If you are like many stressed out, overworked mid-career professionals, you probably haven’t been to the gym since July. Take the time this break to break a sweat in spin, or play that game of pickup hoops you’ve been dying to get into to release stress. Then, take a long dip in a whirlpool or Jacuzzi – what, your sports club doesn’t have one? Stop depriving yourself!
• Have a FEAST with your loved one or loved ones at least once and SPLURGE. I am a huge fan of self-reward. It’s healthy and a great way to feel like you have accomplished something – not to mention a strong reminder of why you work all those long hours. Go for broke once during this winter break at your favorite fancy restaurant and order that third appetizer, extra helping of STEAK, and second dessert. The bigger the feast, the better. Better yet, make this a family tradition. You deserve it, all of you. Just like Rich Dad says, “pay yourself first” with a well-earned celebration of food.

The holiday season is a time of cheer – this extends to you, too! Don't be afraid to treat yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back and a break. Trust me, you will be happier and better prepared for 2014.