You, the quiet one whose ears are ringing from all the festive noise out there this month. How are you doing? Hanging in there? Yeah, me neither.
I was just at Target yesterday, and I got in a shopping cart traffic jam in the Christmas light aisle, and I started to panic. All the flashing lights! And then I accidentally triggered a snow globe that just played and played. It was gridlock, and I couldn’t see around the shelves for the reason for the hold-up. It sucked the life out of me. I almost had to crawl out of that store.
I’m sure you’ve seen all the articles on how to navigate the holidays and boost your career. I just wanted to say, as a career coach and a major introvert, I give you permission to do no career boosting this holiday season. You do not have to network, market yourself, or discuss your finest qualities at all as you move through the holidays. You could just go lie down for a spell.
Because my first rule for career success is give yourself what you need. I forget that all the time. What on earth was I doing at Target in December? I vowed last year I wouldn’t return, and then there I was, convinced of a need for multicolored lights. This is a good time to make lists, so make one for yourself about what you want from this time of year. Me? I’d like to hear a choir sing Silent Night in a darkened church. I’d also like to write in my journal a bit every day, watch some Gilmore Girls on Netflix, play with my kids, then enjoy a glass of wine with the hubby. That’s all. What’s on your list?
It’ll be okay, right? This season will pass, and then we can get out there again and do all sorts of career-y things. It’s like you know how they say, this isn’t the time to diet? Just maintain weight? Just maintain energy. I especially like these tips.
Okay, we’ve talked long enough. I’ll let you go. Time for some quiet.