The 1st week of December marks the beginning of a new period of the year, which inaugurates the Christmas holidays in the collective unconscious. The department stores have already started the announcement of this next arrival, and some magazines or advertising have also taken care to warn us that Christmas is under way. With the circumstances we know, 2021 (after 2020) will definitely be a year like no other. The reduction of family reunification imposed by the sanitary awareness will require certain choices that few of us would have imagined a year ago. The situation of some companies is worrying, some have to make the painful decision to stop their business before accumulating debts. They are anxious to announce this to their employees, who have become true confidants and friends, or even family members. Some people have lost their jobs in the past year, others are concerned about the future of their organization, seeing their job or function threatened. Some companies have experienced a significant decline of their turnover, forcing them to think and act differently.
Other people have lost family members, for some health may have deteriorated. Nevertheless, even in those moments, there is a glimmer of hope. By definition, the future is uncertain and if we are anxious about the future, it can affect our mood, our mode of communication and the way we behave at work, with our customers or with our children. Don’t forget that it is not easy for them to be deprived of the company of their little playmates and schoolmates. Some codes are changing, some habits have since appeared. Home office is a temporary situation that continues.
More than ever, we must adapt, get used to it, communicate via computer screen and do our job as best as we can. Some way of working and organization implode while others take advantage of the situation. Everyone is responsible of its own state of mind in the way to face to this imposed change. It is this Christmas spirit that I would like to promote right now, through the publication of this article. Because we don’t have a lot of resources, whether in business or at home, we probably have the opportunity to maximize some of our resources. Being imaginative and propose new things, for some even from a certain tradition.
This may seem ridiculous and the last of your concerns, nevertheless rather than wait until the evening of December 24th, with needles pecking all over you, why don’t you set up your Christmas tree right now? Tomorrow? At worst, this weekend? Single or alone at home, it will remind you of the magic of Christmas when you were a child. As a couple, this is a nice activity to do together. Alone with your child/children, they will love this moment of consideration. Their amazed eyes will warm your heart and it is great to feel valued. At work, by giving the permission to someone of your team to decorate this Christmas tree, or by asking your manager, with your best smile, to authorize the setup of this Christmas tree.
Once the Christmas tree is decorated, here is another important part, think about your gifts. Not in a consumerist way or to satisfy your ego, just by thinking of the person you wish to offer this gift. Allow yourself time to think, to choose. Of course, let’s give the chance to small shops that need it and let’s show this with a small gesture of solidarity. For those who are “not very good for gifts”, remember it is the intent that matters.
A hand-written poem, a framed souvenir picture, a written letter to a close member, a shellfish collected on a beach, etc. There is a whole meaning, it’s not a matter of budget or money, but rather real attention paid to the concerned person.
In the business world, I think it’s also time to share this “Christmas spirit”. Facilitate the work of some collaborators if you can, carefully listening to the person if he/she needs it. Give a contact to a friend which will facilitate the connection. Recommend a person or supplier if they have products or services that could save time or money for your company, or the company that employs you. There are many ways to behave in this new period of shared awareness. Our society can be weakened and paralyzed from the inside by a virus that can be dangerous for our microorganisms. However, this can allow us to evolve, to do things differently.
If some and this can be understandable do not want to celebrate, just be there for them. A smile even above a mask is noticed. A service rendered will touch the heart of your interlocutor. A phone call reassures your supplier or customer because when the storm passes, of course you will be working together.
Like the soldiers of the Second World War who shared their food, drink and other cigarettes from the cold trenches, we have now the opportunity to highlight this Christmas spirit. By an attitude and behavior, by being helpful, by being there for someone else.
In short, at the professional level, can you recommend a relative or a company to facilitate a relationship?
In order to make simple acts of caring, have you already chosen the people to whom you are going to make a gift?
More concretely, when are you going to set up your Christmas tree?
I wish you a great month of December!
Enjoy the way… And wish you a wonderful christmas month!
Mickaël Garin (translated by Actus Via team member)