What Works: The most important gift on your list is the one to yourself

There are 19 days until Christmas. The holiday season is in full swing. Trees are going up. Houses are getting decorated. Shopping happens between kids’ activities and holiday family fun. Making sure all the presents are well hidden is a feat within itself! Yet there is one gift that sometimes gets forgotten. That gift is the gift you give to yourself.

Throughout December, I am doing 31 days of gifts to myself. No, that doesn’t mean I’m spoiling myself rotten with presents. It means I am taking time each day to exercise self-awareness and self-care. When I do this, I give myself intangible (and sometimes tangible) gifts that will make me smile.
Here’s what I have so far.

Day #1: I gave myself the gift of authenticity. I promised to be authentic with myself and others. If I need help, I will ask for it. If I need a friend, I will share my feelings with them in an open and honest way. By giving myself permission to be authentic, I remove worry about what other’s think. I lift a 1,000 pound boulder off my shoulders. I feel light and free to be myself in any situation!

Day #2: I gave myself the gift of downloading the iHeartRadio app. Sometimes, it just feels good to listen to radio stations from other places. It helps me do a temporary geographic when I’m experiencing stress. If I want to go to Hawaii, I close my eyes and put on Hawaiian radio. If I want to feel like I’m back in San Antonio for the holidays, I listen to a local station there. This ability to transport myself is so relaxing. It’s like giving myself a mini vacation.

Day #3: I gave myself the gift of non-complacency. I realized if I take serious things seriously and don’t stick my head in the sand about them, I can avoid a lot of angst. This was the case with my suitcases from my trip. One place I stayed had bed bugs. Ick! Although I had taken measures to get rid of them while I was on the road. I decided to leave my vehicle outside for a couple days and let anything remaining freeze. I found one lone exoskeleton remaining. That gift of non-complacency saved me from bringing that bugger into my house. I imagine it saved me much more money in extermination, too!

Day #4: I gave myself the gift of watching a TED Talk someone sent to me about procrastination. It’s great. You can watch it right here. This is a great gift because, when I don’t let the pleasure monkey drive my brain boat, I get so much more done. This leaves so much more time for real fun later.

Day #5: I gave myself the gift of sharing what I know and passing this exercise on to you. Yes, you can give yourself gifts that are physical in nature. I am sipping hot apple cider from a mug as I write this. I bought myself a few presents while I was on my recent road trip. But the real gift is when you can take what you have and pass it on. That’s when your light can really shine in the world.

LEARN FROM DIANE AND EMBRACE CHANGE IN 2017


January 6, 2017: “Vision Boards and Statements Workshop” – Gaia Wellness and Yoga, Carson City, NV – $20/Adults, $10/Ages 10-18. Purchase your ticket here.
What Works Coaching gift certificates are available! Give time to your team for the perfect holiday office gift. Email diane@whatworkscoaching.com for details.

What Works Coaching
Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, a business coaching and marketing services firm based in Carson City. She has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino. She is also a candidate for a Master’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.