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EST Read Time: 3 Minutes

It’s that time of year when hindsight turns into foresight. We know how the holidays unfold: travel, feasts, gift-giving, busyness at work, and as certain as the sun will rise, you will hear All I Want for Christmas. Everyday. 

And with it come the typical concerns: looming work deadlines, regrets about overindulgence, guilt over missed workouts, or feeling stressed and overwhelmed trying to get everything done, let alone watch the 25 Days of Hallmark (which you can apparently be paid to do).   

If any of the above resonates, you’re not alone. Recent research highlights 90% of adults experience holiday stress that can impact productivity and well-being. 

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to let history repeat itself. Once you know what’s in your way, you can side step around it.  Here are three strategies for managing your energy over the holiday season. 

1. Simplify Your To-Do List:

-Use the do, delegate, delete rule to lighten your workload. Before your time off, list what truly must get done, delegate anything possible, and give yourself permission to delete tasks that aren’t critical. 

-Make a to-do list for your first day back to hit the ground running without extra stress (Pro Tip: Schedule send to yourself so it’s at the top of your inbox that day.) 

2. Make It Easy to Win: 

Instead of aiming for perfection during the holidays, create a simple, achievable baseline to stay consistent with your goals. For example: If you’re worried about your fitness routine while traveling, remember that you’re not in your normal routine and simplify:  “I’ll move my body for 20 minutes, three times this week.” 

We’re quick to give grace to others but tend to hold ourselves to strict standards that make it harder to achieve our goals. Celebrating the smaller steps is what leads to the big wins. 

3. Reframe Rest as Strategic Recharging: 

The key to finishing the year strong isn’t sprinting non-stop- taking brief pauses to recharge is critical to high performance. Whether it's building a walk into your day, enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday, or having a screen-free Saturday to look at holiday lights, time off isn’t laziness—it’s strategy.

The beauty of this time of year is that we know what’s coming—it’s not a surprise. Use that gift of foresight to identify common pitfalls and turn this holiday season into one you actually enjoy.

One Simple Thing

Do one of below this week to boost your productivity and your health at the same time. We know movement makes our minds better - try partnering it with activities you’ll do anyway.

• Movement x Gifts: Pick one gift you can walk to get instead of ordering online

• Movement x Social Fitness: Plan a walk (or workout) with family or friends

• Movement x Workplace Productivity: Turn one meeting into a walking meeting

• Movement x Mindfulness: Do a 10 minute phone free walk to clear your mind 

Pro Tip: 45 Sec to go in this newsletter. Try reading the rest on a walk, plank or wall sit.

Dilagence on the Move 

Dilagence in Business Insider: Check out my perspective on the importance of shifting away from work-life balance and focusing more on work-life rhythm.

Dose of Dilan

What I’m Consuming (Besides Wicked Content):

The Daily Stoic for bite-sized wisdom in busy times.

How I’ll Stay Fit Over Nigerian Thanksgiving: 

Packing this, this, and this for workouts pre & post the feast that includes everything from turkey to goat (Pro Tip: All currently on sale).  

What I’m Excited About:

Dilagence workouts coming in December. These workouts are designed to meet busy professionals wherever they are, in short amounts of time—especially during the holidays. C-Suite workout subscribers (you!) get access first. 

Thanks for reading. Follow me on LinkedIn for more health hacks and habits to boost your performance. Can you think of one person who can benefit from this newsletter and new workout content? Help the Dilagence community to grow by inviting them to subscribe here.