Take Time to Enjoy Family and Friends: Establish Traditions

You have one life with a limited amount of time. Spend the time of your life with people you love. Make sure you don't spend the holidays trying to change your siblings or redressing grievances from years past. Share memories and laughter. Take time for personal reflection. Establish traditions at home and at work. Traditions change as the people in your life die; make sure you establish new traditions with the family members who remain.

Looking for a few ideas for work traditions?

• One of my client companies sponsors an annual window dressing contest with teams of people competing for the "best-dressed window" prize.
• Another takes their employees to a restaurant for a holiday luncheon.
• Companies sponsor Halloween costume contests.
• Others compete for prizes for the most attractively decorated work stations or offices.
• Some work groups hold "Secret Santa" gift exchanges and coworkers try to guess who drew each other's name.
• Others adopt a group philanthropy project for the holiday season.

You are limited in establishing organization traditions only by your imagination. No matter what holidays you celebrate, these tips will make them happier, healthier, and more fun. Please accept my wishes for a happy holiday season for you and yours.