Coaching Corner: So much fun, so little time!
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
Today I want to address a topic that I am guessing several of you may find familiar. It starts with my own full disclosure. On Thursday I was at an OAR function and during lunch I found myself complaining (or possibly it was whining) about all of the events that we host during the month of December. It actually starts on Thanksgiving where we have typically 30 or so guests! From there we go to the annual cookie baking event for the kids (and their parents) which has grown now to seven kids and their parents, all participating in rolling and decorating our favorite butter cookies and then, of course, dinner. Soon on its heels we celebrate Hanukkah which involves lots of preparation and an awesome dinner. We move then to Christmas Eve where we indulge in a standing rib roast and crab legs just to name a couple of the tasty treats that have become tradition in the Butcher-Roth household.
OK, even in reading this I am laughing! These are traditions we have adopted over the years that truly are fun, and yet every year I find myself in the same position of overwhelm, wondering why I subject myself to this amount of work. Hah! There is not one of these events that I would want to eliminate -- it fills my heart with joy to have everyone together enjoying food and company.
So today I gave myself an attitude adjustment! I have my notes of what needs to be done to prepare for these events, that happens anyway, but what I realized is how I psych myself out each year. I mentally do this to myself! I can actually hear my words of “this is too much†and “there's not enough time for this.†Actually, yes there is! I went through the list of what needs to be done and honestly, there isn't a piece of it that I am not wanting and choosing to do.
Sometimes we can connect to an old fear or belief that is not based in the present time. At this time, I truly do have the ability to host all of these events! Realizing that, I can actually breathe easier!
Take a minute and check in with your holiday activities to make sure you are participating in a way that pleases you. Notice any “shoulds†that come up -- those are usually great clues that you may be doing something you really do not want to do. There is so much fun to be had this time of year. Do what you need to make sure you can enjoy it!
Now I am off to create more holiday magic!!!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
