Metamorphosis Coaching tips for managing holiday expectations

The holidays are here, and part of making the most of them is managing expectations.

Nikki Karnowski of Metamorphosis Coaching, Consulting, and Training brought some tips to get more joy out of the season.

To manage expectations, she suggests letting go of your idea of a “perfect” holiday.

“I think so often we have this picture of the food has to be a certain way, and the table needs to look like this, and the kids better behave, and all these things add up,” Karnowski said. “So it just ups our stress level. So letting go of that and just knowing good is OK.”

She also suggests laying down expectations and celebrating the things that matter.

Another part of the holidays is dealing with difficult people. Karnowski recommends thinking about the big picture.

“In the back of your mind, just say, ‘OK, don’t take the bait. What do I want the outcome to be?'” she said.

Next, Karnowski said we need to let it go, reframe, and set boundaries.

“If somebody says something that’s a little like, ooh, these are fighting words, I think we can always say, ‘Hey, let’s focus on the good. Let’s focus on what we have in common today. We’re having a great day, and this is what I love about being together with you,'” she said.

For more of Nikki’s work, visit the Metamorphosis CCT website.