The holiday season in my opinion is one of the best times of the year and this year for me it’s been even a little more rewarding. I have recently been trying to take on a more minimalist approach to life focusing only on the essentials and in addition to that I have tried to implement some rituals of Zen monks in my life in an effort to slow things down, reduce stress, and actually become much more productive (yes you can be more productive when you slow down.)
While I can’t show you statistics proving the impact that these actions have made in my life, I can certainly tell you that they have had a very positive effect.
I’ve learned that, for me, the holiday season is not about putting up a Christmas tree, it’s about the time you spend with the people you love while doing it. The holiday season is not about the rush of sledding down a snowy hill, it’s about the opportunity to hug your children tight on the way down. The holiday season is not about giving your boss a bottle of wine; it’s about thanking him or her for the guidance he or she has provided to you along your journey. The holiday season is not about dreading cleaning up the house after a holiday party, it’s about using that time to reflect upon the joy you experienced in reconnecting with old friends just hours ago.
Taking this mental approach has made it very clear to me that I have much more than I could ever ask for thus making my Christmas list much shorter this year than it’s ever been before.
I remember looking back as a kid, when the thought of an empty stocking or a bare floor beneath the Christmas tree was absolutely devastating. It’s good to know now that whether my stocking is empty or full or whether or not there are presents under the tree, I already have everything I’ll ever need.
Engineers, I urge you to take this holiday season to slow down and enjoy the people in your lives that are the most important gifts you’ll ever have.
How do you plan on enjoying this holiday season with your family?
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To Your Success,
Anthony Fasano, P.E., LEED AP, ACC
Powerful Purpose Associates – Home of the Institute for Engineering Career Development
