The Christmas festivities begin mid-December in the Wilcox household; with an early December birthday it can’t start any earlier!
And Relax ……
Like many families across the world, my children have the joy of putting up the baubles and trinkets on the tree. I watched the eldest instructing the youngest on placement and coordination; a little leader in my midst!
Come bedtime, I didn’t spend the next hour rearranging and reordering. Now, this is where 2015 has differed. I decided to try something new. To leave it alone.
Here are the three things I learnt by handing over control:
1. No expectations
My pre-set ideas of layout aren’t necessarily the right or the only option. For once, I waited to see how it unfolded. The girls had their boundaries; the lights were already positioned (so they knew not to touch) and the star was only placed on the top once the tree was dressed. The rest was up to them. With those basic rules, they are were able to just play and find their own way.
I LEARNT: That once people know what their responsibilities are, it is amazing what they can create!
2. Fresh Eyes
Just relaxing and seeing the tree through the kid’s eyes I saw the story they had created. I noticed the way the personalised decorations were together ( as, I quote, “Sisters want to be next to each other”) and how the shiniest baubles were all at the bottom (as the youngest liked these “the best”).
I LEARNT: That how someone’s approach to a task reveals so much more than their skills. It shows how they view the world and themselves.
3. Dream Delegation
Taking a chill pill and leaving it be gave me an hour back that evening. Granted, it was taken up with an episode of Scandal (so maybe wasn’t massively productive) but that would have been spent moving around baubles and angels, unnecessarily.
I LEARNT: Quite I simply, I don’t have to do it all! That what could be a chore to me can be fun to others: is it really necessary that I shoulder the responsibility all the time?
A simple exercise in Christmas cheer actually uncovered an early present to me; the revelation of relinquishing control and the festive joy it brings to all!
What will you hand over to another this year? How did it feel? Let me know!
Clara Wilcox, owner of The Balance Collective specialises return to work and career coaching and flexible working consultancy.
Find our more on www.thebalancecollective.co.uk and follow the conversation on www.facebook.com/flexibleworkingforall
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
