Simplify & Savor the Season

Winding down to the magical Christmas Eve and you still feel there’s too much on your to-do list? Stop. Breathe. And trim your pursuits while you trim the tree. As you use the PADE formula you’ll simplify to savor the season, and get “pade” those joyful holiday dividends you yearn to feel.

I love this quote by Carolyn J. Rasmus, author of the book “Simplify: A Guide to Caring for the Soul”:

“To simplify is about enhancing our ability to focus on things that really matter, to deliberately choose our priorities, and to refuse to let unimportant things take over the things of real importance.”

We say it every year, we’ll simplify, but we still feel overwhelmed because more is asked of us. Instead of letting the overwhelm take over, use the “PADE” formula to make it work.

P=Revise The Plan (and your expectations!)

Choose a clear focus this year instead of just randomly listing events and to dos. Do you want Christmas to be peaceful, joyful, a memory maker? Decide, then choose activities that will support it; get family input, make THAT the plan–holidays are made for families, so let them be involved

A=Abbreviate

D=Delegate

Look at your plan and REALLY ask yourself, if I was bedridden or had a heart attack, what could I delegate? The answer of course, is all of it. The key to delegating is to ENJOY it, without hovering, or dumping.

E=Eliminate

Even with delegating, we can eliminate what isn’t working for us at all. Eliminate the exhaustion!

As you use the PADE formula, you’ll get rid of what isn’t really working for YOUR family and situation this holiday season, and you’ll make time and room for more spontaneous service, those moments that make the season so joyful and unforgettable!