7.) Do Some Realistic Planning

7.) Do Some Realistic Planning

Never underestimate the value of a good plan! But, your plan needs to be one that is within your ability to complete. You should never set too many goals for yourself that you couldn't possibly get done in the course of two weeks time. That is, if your pressed for time, as many of us are. Every year, many people wait until the very last minute to get everything done all at once. This is not a good idea. What happens? You know you have a big shopping list to take care of, so you dash out the door quick as you can, get into the car, speed off into the night to get it all finished up before the stores close. Guess what? There are probably a hundred other folks doing the exact same thing you are at that very moment! Now, not only do you have to deal with trying to get those things on your shopping list, you're going to have to make your way through filled lanes of traffic, crowded stores, and lengthy check out waits. But, what if you spend all that time searching for a highly sought after item once you get to a specific shop, only to find that they are completely out of stock! Now you have to go try your luck at another location, or a completely different store altogether. You CAN avoid all this stress by creating a plan. Even if you only have 1 month left to finish your shopping, you could take an extra hour out of each day to pick up those items on your list before the mad holiday buying rush. The best way to have a good, "less stress" holiday plan is to start one right after the holidays are over! You can get great bargains through "after holiday" sales and take those items, cross them off your list, and put them up for safe-keeping until next year's holiday. Plus, there's NO RUSH to complete the tasks on your "to do" list since you have an entire year to get them done!