Unfortunately in practice it can be a time of great stress and unhappiness. There is so much to do and so much to organise. And sometimes getting together with your extended family can be uncomfortable and even painful.

So here is a plan that will help you to relax a little more this Christmas and hopefully a good time will be had by all.

Christmas Shopping

Don't leave everything until last moment. Rushing will just make you tired and more stressed. Get you Christmas shopping done early, so you don't have to spend hours fighting other shoppers for last doll or Christmas turkey.

Don't over spend. It is very easy at Christmas time to spend too much and put yourself in a financial hole for a good part of new year. Decide before you go shopping how much you can afford to spend and stick to your budget. Shopping early will help you stick to a budget as you will not be in a last minute panic, picking up anything that may be suitable regardless of cost.

If money is a little tight for you or some of your family members there are a couple of ways you can reduce your spending costs. Together you could decide that all gifts should be handmade or second hand. Or you could all decide that each of you will only buy for one other person. This way instead of spending $5 on 10 people and getting them all little cute but junky things you spend $50 on one person and get them something that they will really appreciate. Decide between family an amount that everyone is to spend and then draw names out of a hat to see who you will shop for.

Article Title: How To Get What You Really Want Author Name: Joanne Victoria Contact E-mail Address: mailto:joanne@joannevictoria.com Word Count: 647, including signature box Category: Business & Personal Development Copyright Date: 2003 All Rights Reserved ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Publishing Guidelines: Thank you for publishing this article in its entirety including resource box. When possible, please notify me of publication by sending either a website link or a copy of your ezine upon publication to: mailto:joanne@joannevictoria.com . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How To Get What You Really Want

As a small business owner, entrepreneur or independent professional, it's important to make plans. It's also important to have time to let things happen. Only you can decide what is to happen in your life. Here is a method that may work for you. You have nothing to lose.

Start with that yellow pad; you can transfer to computer later on. Tear out eight pieces of paper and label each as follows: Finance, Health, Professional, Community Service, Personal/Fun, Spiritual, Relationships (All) and Education. If you have other titles that you prefer, use them. Don't be attached to what I have suggested; it's just that, a suggestion. It's a manageable breakdown of all life's topics.

First, ask yourself a few questions:

o How will I do things differently than I've done them before? o What am I holding onto that I no longer need or want? o What are my personal values? o Are my business values same?

Part of your plan, before setting your new goals, is to eliminate any toxic or draining person, activity, commitment or prior goal that is no longer working. You are not required to do anything that doesn’t serve you. This will only create resentment and affect your future.

Prospective clients can always tell an unhappy, unfulfilled and dissatisfied person. You will not attract what you need. For about a month, try asking yourself, "Is this what I really want to do?" " I this what I most desire?"

As responses come, you will see what and who has been depleting your energy. Take care of yourself first. Be totally responsible for what happens in your life.