Surviving the Holidays: A Guide for Business Owners and Independent Marketing Consultants

The holidays can be hectic. For the majority of us, the approaching holiday season will probably herald a frenzied race to the finish line. December signals a change of momentum – many businesses and consultants won’t be able to continue working at their regular pace. Some are lucky to have full control of their calendar and schedule at least a 2-week shutdown, but the fact is, many will find themselves struggling to stay on top of deadlines and end up sacrificing their personal time and social lives. 

This abrupt change in speed has an exponential effect on businesses, freelancers, and consultants. Having full control of your business also means having full responsibility for managing your own workflow and finances, and setting boundaries to prioritize your mental health. 

With the upcoming holiday celebrations, how do you stay sane while ensuring your business continues to thrive? Here is the Mindful Marketers’ guide to staying on top of your business goals and still have time for yourself and your families this holiday season. 

Set realistic goals and deadlines.

The last month of the year isn’t exactly the best time to set big and shiny new goals. We know it’s tempting to keep pushing and ride along the tide of the holiday frenzy, but this is a sure recipe for burnout. 

Instead, take a step back to review the tasks you still have left for this year and set realistic goals and deadlines for each person in your team and yourself. Often, we overestimate what we’re capable of doing when we’re on a holiday high and only regret our plans midway when we’re hitting a wall. Remember that Christmas is a time to be kinder and more giving to everyone, including yourself. 

Plan your business calendar with your team.

One thing we love to do is sit down with our team and align our holiday plans. We’re a team of creatives and we know that our passions and hobbies contribute to our craft, no matter how odd they may be. Our life does not revolve around work. And our creative lives are made brighter by everything we do, which makes us even better when we get back to work. 

This differs from business to business but we aim to always give our team at least a 2-week break. This may not be sustainable for others, however. The most important part here is to communicate with your team and your clients to ensure that everyone knows what to expect. 

Stay sane and set healthy boundaries

From your finances to your sleeping schedule, set a healthy boundary so you don’t just say yes to everything and everyone. As a business owner and independent consultant, you may be hardwired to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. But saying yes to everything is still saying no to something else. Yes to a weekend team getaway is a no to a relaxing weekend at home with your family. Yes to a late-night jam session is a no to a cozy evening with your partner (or your dog!). 

Setting clear personal boundaries is highly important to protect your well-being during the holiday season. The Christmas cheer can easily be mistaken as a summon to please everyone around you. You don’t have to do it. 

Creating a joyful and unforgettable holiday does not have to be made with your personal sacrifices. Choose to do only things that you believe are important and commit to prioritizing your mental well-being along the way.

Remember – you don’t have to do it all alone. 

Sometimes, it can feel like you have to do it all alone – managing your business, addressing all client concerns, responding to socials, and ensuring that your product and service quality is top-notch. 

But again, saying yes to all these things – and these are pretty amazing and challenging things, kudos to you! – is saying no to other things, like spending time with the family, going out with friends and booking a personal holiday trip…without worrying about work!

Don’t let your business get in the way of you living your best life. Instead, delegate your other hats so you can focus on being the best CEO you can possibly be. Having a team you can depend on is crucial when it comes to delegating – you want people you can trust will deliver excellent results without you hovering over their shoulders. If you don’t have one already, you might want to check out our awesome all-women team of digital specialists.

Mindful Digital Marketers is a team of highly specialized creatives that helps business owners and consultants achieve their full potential while staying authentic to their values. Whether you need support in social media management, ads management, lead generation, general administration or all of them, we can tailor a plan specifically for you. 

Now, imagine yourself having a cuppa with the family and your little pooch, putting your feet up knowing that your business is in good hands. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Have a warm and cozy Christmas with the fam and cheers to your 2023!

P.S. If you’ve been feeling your business needs a reset in 2023, email or message us to book a quick clarity call. Let’s find out how our team can help you.