But you do. We can help you. Let this season be one of joy
and peace. A time to laugh with friends and share precious
moments with family. A time to visit with clients and show
your appreciation. You can sing those carols, shop with
ease, and most importantly relax. Sound too good to be
true. Well, try a few of these holiday time management
tips and see if they work for you.

1. Plan ahead: Who says you have to buy the holiday meal
the week before. Each time you go to the grocery store,
pick up those extra cans of cranberry sauce or Jell-O and
jot it down on a list. With your business, buy those 2008
calendars, Daytime Planner refills, client gifts, etc.
Keep a list and as you get things, mark it off.

2. Gift Certificates: This is magic to the ears of
relatives who do not know what to buy family members and
for us with clients who we are not sure what to buy. Not
only are they well received, but instead of paying $5.00 or
more S&H, you pay 41 cents. Best yet, you do not have to
worry about the cut-off date for getting it there on time
for those out-of-state packages.

3. Organize: It is crucial. You do not have the time to
be looking for things. If possible before the holidays,
spend a day or two and totally organize your home and
office. What a tremendous feeling to go into the holidays
feeling on top of things. If that is not possible, grab
every spare minute you can, whether talking on the phone or
waking up early.

For your holiday wrap, scissors, tape, find a place for it
and be sure to put it back each time. Your holiday catalogs
arrive daily; you are going to need a place for them as
well. Find the best place now and then always put them
there. For business, start the New Year out right. Clean
out those files and file the important papers away. Get the
trash can out and with lots of courage, toss out those
things that are not important. Be brave! If you have not
used it in a couple of months, chances are you will not
miss it. Do it. Go ahead and while you are at it, set up
your files for 2008.

4. Schedule Your Time Well: It is a glorious time of
year. Church and kids plays, office parties, holiday
shopping, friends, family, etc., etc., etc. Yes, it is
overwhelming, but with the right scheduling, it can be
tremendous fun. Write everything down. A calendar on the
wall with family events is a must. You do not want to miss
a thing. Get the haircuts, the holiday dresses/suits, and
the family portrait now. Also, now is not the time to add
on any extras. If it can wait until after the first of the
year, let it. (Oh, and do not forget to arrange for those
babysitters. ) For business, this can be an extremely busy
time of year for many. Clients need to finish up yearly
tasks and might be sending you a lot of work. For the
seasonal clients, it is even busier. Stay focused. Do not
let your mind constantly drift to night ahead activities.
Use your Daytimer and schedule your day precisely. Use
e-mail instead of the phone whenever possible.
Concentrate. You can do it!

5. Delegate Tasks: Your time is valuable. Is there
someone else who can do the job for you? Let them. You
might find they actually enjoy helping and often can use
the money. This is when your virtual assistant can be very
instrumental.

6. Break Tasks Down: For those of us in business, many
tasks are doubled. You have your gift giving, sending out
cards, etc. Do a certain amount each night. You will enjoy
it more and will not be rushed to complete the task.

Group your errands, both business and pleasure. Make every
trip count. You will be amazed at how much time you can
save by planning ahead. When you think, gosh that would
be perfect for so and so buy it. Why wait and have to
come back and worse yet, have to think about where you saw
it.

7. Learn to Say No: This is a good business and personal
practice all the time, but around the holidays it is
essential. This year, think of you and your family first.
What would bring them the greatest joy? Do you really need
to do it?

8. Avoid the Rushes: We work from home. We do not have
to be at the post office or bank at noon or after hours.
Go at 10:30 a.m.

9. Avoid Guilt: It is outta there! No, your house is not
the cleanest. So what! So you did not finish all the
marketing you wanted. Big Deal! What you have is more
precious. If you can enjoy this holiday, even for
yourself, it is so worth it! Think are you not worth it
to. Plus, how much better will you be as a mom and
businesswoman.

10. And Finally - ENJOY!! Not just that one night or
several days, but the whole holiday season. Too many plan
for the main event, the holiday itself, but instead, this
year enjoy the journey getting there too.

Tis The Season To Be Jolly Fa La La La La I FOUND THE TIME!!

About the Author:

Diana Ennen is the author of numerous books including
Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful,
Sought After VA and Corel Word Perfect Virtual Assistant
Solution Pack. http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com . She
has been featured in numerous books and magazines including
Family Circle, Readers Digest, Wall Street Journal,
Entrepreneur, USA Today, Woman's World, etc. Article is
free to be reprinted as long as bio remains intact.