December is here folks, and with it comes that revolving door of office parties, client functions, Kris Kringles, dodgy decorations, end-of-year concerts, carols nights, and awards ceremonies. And somewhere in between all that, there’s all the work that must get done before we all collapse on a beach somewhere. (If you’re in Australia that is; If you’re an international reader, I picture you collapsing on a comfy sofa in front of an open fire – equally lovely just not as good for the tan.)
So in the midst of all the chaos, it’s worth remembering what the season is really all about:
– Connection. It’s easy for the year to fly past so fast that, even with the best of intentions, we don’t manage to connect with those we care about. This is true not just for family and friends, but also for those in our professional network. This time of year brings an opportunity to reflect and reach out – look back through your diary at the year that was, scan your contacts. Who didn’t you see this year who you worked with in 2015? Who would you like to see more of in 2017? Use LinkedIn to send a simple holiday message and suggest a coffee in the new year once the dust has settled.
narrative-style ads to hit screens this time of year.
– Presence, not just presents. See what I did there? If ever there was a time to hone those mindfulness skills, the silly season is it. To avoid getting caught up in the stress of all there is to do, focus on being here, now. In one place, doing one thing. Take the opportunity to truly unplug while pretty much everyone else is on leave too. Let your phone run out of battery. Go on, we dare you. And, mining the deep well of Holiday adverts once more, here is another. A cautionary tale if you like, reminding us of what really matters…
… read one thing, make it this excellent article which delves deeper into the ideas we discussed in our last Vibe post. 2016 really has been the year we all woke up to the role of Facebook in how we experience the news. Given that Facebook’s news feed is now the primary driver of traffic to news sites, the fact that this stream of information is highly curated matters. For more on this, check out The Wall Street Journal’s Red Feed Blue Feed showing how different reality looks depending on the bubble you’re sitting in.
… Listen to one thing, make it Tim Minchin’s White Wine in the Sun and feel all the feelings. Best Christmas song ever.
That’s all for now, and for 2016. Wishing a happy, safe and restful holiday to you and yours from all of us here at Milan Partners. Our wish for you these holidays is that you eat, drink, swim, read, rest, laugh, give and receive, love and be loved.
See you in 2017!