Issue 98: Finding Clarity In The Silly Season
THE LEAP
BY QUANTUM ORANGE
GROW, EXPAND & EVOLVE
ISSUE 98 | FINDING CLARITY IN THE SILLY SEASON
Each week The (Quantum) Leap summarises a key aspect of success into what you need to Think, Feel and Do to create a personal shift.
THINK
This month, it’s worth spending some time taking care of your thinking and the overall mindset that results from it. For many of us, this time of year is joyful. But it can also be a time of mass panic shopping, a calendar overfilled with social events, or a sense of loss about those no longer here with us.
But you don’t have to get caught up in the chaos or burn yourself out trying to make this time of the year meaningful.
If you take a step back, shift your mindset and embrace a few small but powerful changes, you can create a season filled with clarity, calm and joy. It’s not about doing less (though that helps!), but about being more intentional and focusing on what truly matters.
Take a few moments to reflect on your thinking:
- Do you find yourself spending time with people and thinking you would rather be somewhere else?
- What worrisome thoughts are running on a loop?
- What boundaries can you set for yourself?
- What is actually important to you right now?
- What changes do you need to make so that your mindset is focused and clear?
FEEL
For many of us the end of the year brings a sense of joy and excitement, while others may feel a sense of overwhelm or anxiety, both about getting everything done and navigating family dynamics.
Identifying and understanding these feelings is an important first step, not only in navigating the holiday season, but also in preparing for the start of a new year.
- Do you feel pressured by deadlines, social obligations and difficult family dynamics?
- Do you feel that the house, the gifts, the food (everything!) has to be perfect?
- Do you feel the drive to be everything to everyone?
- What simple pleasures can you embrace to bring you genuine joy during the holiday season?
- What do you need to let go of to feel good?
- How can you honour your needs at this time?
- What do you really value about this time of year?
- How do you want your Christmas to feel?
Based on your answers above, create a list of actions you can take this week to ensure your end of year honours what matters most to you.
DO
You can enjoy the holiday season without compromising your mental, emotional and physical health. Here are four simple strategies you can action this week:
1: Check Your To-Do List
Start by getting clear on your priorities - learn to say no where you need to.
Separate what is important or urgent from what doesn’t need to be done right now, or even at all.
Work out how long you actually have to spend on each of the tasks you have decided to do, then allocate specific time slots to those tasks in your day. Stick to your schedule.
2: Look At The Big Picture
Keep your eyes on your big picture goals - even if you only have small moments to work on them between festive activities, you’ll still be making progress. You don’t have to wait for January to pick up your goals or start something new.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want to achieve by the end of the year (or by early January)?
- What do I need to do, this week and next week to achieve this?
- What can I delegate, scale back on, or say no to, in order to free up some time and maintain progress during the holiday period?
3: Fun & Self-Care
- What can you do today to nourish yourself?
- What habits that support you will you keep in place despite the festivities?
- What brings you joy - how can you create more of that?
- Which fun holiday traditions are you making time for?
4: Gratitude
- Be present - make sure you’re staying ‘in the moment’ with your family.
- Practise gratitude.
- Say thank you more often.
- Family activity: share what you love and appreciate about one another.
Read. Watch. Listen.
