How to sustain the holiday feeling

I’ve never managed to fully sustain that holiday feeling myself, but hope these strategies will make the difference this year:

Plan another holiday

The fact that we’ve just had Australia Day helps, but I’ve already planned some more time off later in the year. Even though it’s months down the track, just booking it makes me feel better and it’s something to look forward to now the grind’s got going.

Focus on resolution results

Now’s the time to revisit that overoptimistic list of New Year’s resolutions and start to focus on just a few key results. The year generally starts with lofty ambitions to get super fit and healthy, but by Australia Day, I’ve changed ‘get fit’ to ‘run twice a week’.

In terms of business resolutions, consider picking just two goals you’d like to reach in 2009 and list the specific actions and timings needed to achieve them.

Write it down and pin it up

I’ve written up a few goals and resolutions and stuck it to my door. It is a constant reminder to help focus my activities and makes me feel organised, too.

Lower the expectations

I’ve wondered before about whether our desire to always love our work is unrealistic. I like having a distinction between work and holidays. I remember the great feeling of freedom of breaking up from school. If we have no doldrums throughout the year, how do we enjoy the full elation of setting off on holidays?

How do you keep the holiday feeling alive? Is it possible? We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions.

And to the guy across the road, please take down your fading Christmas decorations. They’re an unwelcome reminder that the long break is over for another year.