Ask the Coach - December 4th, 2025
By: Merrill Pierce
Dear Coach,
It is our year-end, and our company is working to close the books, stock inventory to be ready for holiday shoppers as well as help our employees manage their own work-life balance. We are much more aware that this time of year is stressful, and we want to help our staff and our managers feel like they have a handle on things. Any tips?
Signed, concerned owner
Dear concerned owner, thanks for reaching out – navigating the holidays can be tricky.
Here are some ideas for easing into the holidays with less stress. Best of luck!
Navigating the Holidays When Year-End Pressure Is High
For many, the holiday season collides with the most demanding stretch of the year. Deadlines, deliverables, and full calendars can make December feel more overwhelming than joyful. Here are a few simple practices to help you stay grounded and intentional:
Set Intentions, Not Expectations
Choose two or three guiding intentions—connection, simplicity, rest—and let them shape your decisions. They offer clarity when demands stack up.
Protect a Few non-negotiables
Daily movement, a real meal before events, or an email curfew can keep your energy steady during peak workload.
Create Buffer Space
Avoid back-to-back commitments. Even 15–20 minutes between meetings or social events can reset your nervous system and improve decision-making.
Say No Kindly and Early
When your bandwidth is tight, a warm decline such as “I’d love to, but my plate is full right now” protects both your boundaries and your relationships.
Use Micro-Moments of Calm
Three slow breaths, a quick walk, or stepping outside for a minute can keep you out of stress overdrive.
Keep One Tradition That Matters
Let go of doing “all the things.” Choose one meaningful ritual to anchor you in the season.
A gentler, more intentional December is possible—even with year-end pressure. The key is giving yourself permission to simplify, pause, and care for your energy as much as you care for your outcomes.
Check in often with your employees – see how they are managing and whenever possible, look for ways to minimize the pressures they may be feeling. Don’t forget to look after yourself in the process…
Best,
Merrill
