Sid Madge is a transformation specialist and founder of Meee. Meee helps people embrace change and achieve extraordinary lives. It does this by drawing on the best creativity and thinking from the worlds of branding, psychology, neuroscience, education and sociology. Meee has helped transform the lives of over 20,000 people. Including leaders of PLC’s and SME’s to parents, teachers, students, carers, the unemployed and even prison inmates. Sid Madge is also the author of the ‘Meee in Minute’ books. Each book offers the reader 60 ways to change their life, work-, or family life in 60 seconds. In this post, Sid offers 12 one-minute ideas to change your Christmas.
It’s fast approaching that time of year again! The Christmas treats are already appearing on the supermarket shelves and adverts will be on TV soon. Whether you celebrate Christmas or enjoy the festivities some other way it is important to make the holiday special.
I’m a great believer in the power of micro-moments and tiny interventions. These are the small things we notice, the little shifts we can make, the seemingly tiny insights that will change our life for the better!
12 One-Minute Ideas to Change Your Christmas
Here are 12 one-minute ideas to change your festive season. Some of these suggestions come from my ‘Meee in a Minute’ books. Each book offers 60 one-minute micro-ideas and insights. They can help us to shift our perception in life, family and at work. I have also included some new activities for the holiday season…
Give Knowledge
Instead of buying a gift why not introduce a loved one to interesting knowledge or a fun new interest. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are everywhere. Take a minute to visit www.futurelearn.com or google ‘online courses’, browse the categories and sign up a friend or a family member for a new experience. Many of these courses are free. Who knows where these courses could lead – perhaps a new adventure? Certainly, more interesting than a new box of hankies, or a pair of socks.
Homemade Secret Santa
Instead of buying something, why not make something. It could be edible or creative. Take a minute to think of what you could make that would make someone you love smile. If you find that too challenging you can buy something basic and personalise it for your friend or family member? Probably best not to try this with your kids though!
Thanksgiving
If you get to spend time with your family this Christmas, take a minute to tell each person what you missed most about them in 2021 if you haven’t seen them, or what you appreciate most about them. They have a similar tradition in America during Thanksgiving. It’s nice to stop and appreciate loved ones – especially after a challenging year. Research shows that taking the time to consciously appreciate what we are grateful for at least once a week makes us happier, healthier and more satisfied with life.
Discover Your Local Area
Instead of sitting down in front of the TV after you’ve eaten too much, assuming we are not in lockdown, get outside. Go for a walk and discover something new about where you live. If you are lucky enough to experience a white Christmas, take a few minutes to have a snowball fight!
Buy Local
So many businesses are struggling this year and the future is very uncertain. Business for Amazon however is booming. Their future is not uncertain – profits have soared. Wherever you can, choose to shop local. Take a minute to consider what you could buy locally. Money that is spent locally in stores and gift shops stays local. It also helps to keep those businesses afloat during a tough year.
Focus on Expand-tations not Limitations.
For much of 2021, we have been limited to what we can do and who we can see. But, we have also realised that the things we thought were super important are not that important. The things we took for granted – our friends and family – are where it’s at. Take a minute to consider what you’ve gained in 2021. Expand into the good stuff.
Begin It
As 2022 marches closer – is there something you want to do but are scared it won’t work out? Perhaps you want to get fit or even change your career. If ever there was a time to explore new things – it’s now. Take a minute to consider what you are putting off. Take one positive step toward that today and keep going.
Slow Down and Smell the Coffee
Joshua Bell, one of the greatest violinists in the world run an experiment where he busked at a subway station in Washington DC. He played one of the most intricate pieces of music ever written on a violin worth $3.5 million. During his 40-minute performance, 1097 people passed him – all rushing to get somewhere else. Only 27 people stopped to listen and he raised $32.17. What a waste. Take a minute to consider what you are missing because you are so busy rushing somewhere or focused on something else. Slow down, most of us don’t have a choice right now anyway so embrace it and enjoy it.
Do More of What Makes You Happy
Happiness is found in so much more than grand experiences or amazing achievements. Happiness is actually easier to find in the little moments – spending time with family, meeting friends, reading, listening to music, enjoying nice food or a good coffee. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, surely, it’s to relish in the simple things. Take a minute to write down a list of 10 things that make you happy. Do more of those things.
Anti-Bucket List
As we near the end of the year it might be easy to focus on New Year’s Resolutions for next year. Don’t get weighed down with what you might do, or should do. Instead, purge yourself of all the things you definitely won’t do or don’t want to do. Liberate yourself from the ‘should of’s and focus on what you want.
Make 2022 a Cracker
We live in strange times, lies and nonsense mixed with information is making truth hard to access. Take a few minutes each week to turn off social media and instead dive into TED. TED talks believe in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately the world. Why not use the ‘Surprise me’ feature which will randomly select a TED presentation for you? You could experience a different TED Talk every day.
It’s Not About the Money
Everyone you want to buy a present for already loves you, so there is no need to overspend. They will love you regardless of how much you spend or what you buy. Take a minute to breathe and focus on the fact that this is all about love, not money.