Coaching Corner: Peaster Please!
By Master Coach Marilou Butcher Roth
This weekend brings two holidays into our household—Passover and Easter. We have done both for years, carrying on family traditions. These two holidays have fallen very close to one another for the past few years, prompting a “blended” celebration, which I lovingly refer to as “Peaster.” We begin the festivities with an Easter egg hunt for the young ones and then move on to Passover dinner to finish the event.
Each year, as these holidays present themselves, I can become susceptible to a bit overwhelmed, not specific to just this event—all of our holidays carry this potential. So, how do I keep things running smoothly? It has taken me many years to arrive at this point!
I find that beginning the process a few weeks ahead of the event is necessary for success. Using my trusty spiral notebook, I first make a list of everyone we plan to invite, create the date and time, and then get those invitations out.
Next, I make a proposed menu, identifying what items I would like others to contribute. Once this is done, I make a detailed list of what exactly needs to happen prior to the actual event, breaking things down as much as possible. We have a large, blended family, and this outline is a pathway to keeping my sanity.
This post is not merely about my own personal systems, it’s about overwhelm and how we can find our way to cleaner, more enjoyable experiences in life. Through the years, and with much trial and error, I’ve learned that preparation is key to a successful, enjoyable event—something we all want our moments and memories to be. Preparation helps us be present in the moment once the event begins, and isn’t that what we all hope to be?
Clearly, this is not rocket science, and yet, laying everything out makes the difference between feeling stressed and experiencing ease. As we near the finish line, I certainly have tasks, albeit small ones. And now, I can welcome the experience, the people, and the food to their fullest!
What events in your life create stress or overwhelm you? From now on, how can you prepare ahead of time to make these moments more enjoyable? Brainstorm this plan of action now so you are ready and excited to plan your next get-together with ease.
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
