By Kathleen Federici, MEd

Well, it’s finally here. The season we think about all year long, yet are never prepared for when it finally arrives. In my area, free parking is being gifted as we shop during certain hours of the weekend. Everyone is a buzz, stores and parking lots mimic a fend-for-your-life racetrack, lights are hung, homes are decorated, cookies and pies are baking, and in return we are avoiding the scale!

This can be a stressful time of the year. However, this time of the year can also be a fun experience. It might take a conscious effort to slow down to soak in the good stuff. Holiday gatherings with coworkers, ugly sweater contests, wearing holiday accessories and spirited socks, toy drives, and charity participation can all contribute to the excitement of the season. When you are having fun and enjoying the time of this season, your coworkers, your clients, and your customers will see that as well. Posting holiday workplace fun can give your customers a sneak peek into your organizations behind-the-scenes action and make a lasting imprint on a potential or existing client or customer. Show them your enthusiasm for the holidays, in return you might give a new client a lasting positive impression of your organization, or further brand loyalty with existing customers.

Be realistic with your time and most of all, don’t forget to sit back, relax and soak it all in! It’s that season again.

Editor’s note: The IPMI Blog is taking this message to heart and will return on January 2. Wishing you a very happy holiday season—see you next year!

Kathleen Federici, MEd, is IPMI’s director of professional development.