Balancing Holiday Hustle and Leadership Demands: Practical Tips for Black Women Leaders
- Ivory Brown
- Nov 18, 2024
- 3 min read
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Starbucks is selling Caramel Brulée Lattes, Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You is on repeat at Target, and Black Friday sales are flooding your timeline. While the holidays bring joy, family, gratitude, and service, they also bring added pressure. The professional demands of wrapping up a quarter and prepping for the next are heightened by holiday PTO rates (max out that PTO, no shame!) and year-end events. On top of that, there’s the family, social, and cultural expectations to show up everywhere—and look good doing it.
The question is: how do you keep from burning out before the new year even begins? The answer lies in strategic planning, setting boundaries, and embracing balance. Here’s your guide to enjoying the holiday season without losing your sanity or sacrificing your well-being.
Prioritize & Delegate: Let’s be honest, everything feels urgent this time of year—but not everything actually is. Take a deep breath and ask yourself: What really needs to happen before the holidays, and what can wait? Now, for the tasks that truly matter, decide if you need to handle them yourself or if someone else on your team could knock it out of the park. Delegation isn’t about avoiding work; it’s about giving others the chance to shine. Some of your team members might even feel honored to step up! Give yourself permission to hand things off and focus on what only you can do.
Set Boundaries: Let me say this loud and clear: “No” is a complete sentence. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for protecting your time and energy. Everything can’t be a priority, and it’s okay to reschedule or say “not right now” to tasks that can wait. This also means keeping work in its place—set work hours and stick to them. Log off when the day is done, and don’t let emails or Slack messages steal your evenings. We’re not grinding right now, we’re balancing. Know when to close the laptop and let yourself breathe.
Embrace Self-Care: When was the last time you scheduled something just for you? Let’s fix that. Open your calendar and block off time for the things that bring you joy—whether it’s a long overdue spa day, a cup of tea and a movie marathon, or baking cookies with your kids. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive; it just has to fill your cup. Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Rest, prayer, mindfulness, journaling—whatever keeps you centered, make it a priority. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Embrace Flexibility: Here’s the deal: something is going to go wrong, and that’s okay. Maybe your project timeline gets thrown off, or the cookies burn in the oven (it happens to the best of us). Instead of panicking, build in wiggle room now by setting soft deadlines and leaving space for the unexpected. Flexibility isn’t just a leadership skill—it’s a lifesaver this time of year. When you can adapt and stay calm, you’ll not only protect your peace, but you’ll also set the tone for everyone around you.
Lean into Community: This time of year can feel overwhelming and even isolating if we’re not careful. Whether it’s seasonal depression or grief over a loved one who’s no longer here, it’s easy to withdraw. Please don’t. Make time for the people who matter. Call a friend, plan a cozy book club night (I loved Love in Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello and plan to read her new release Only for the Holidays), or say yes to that Secret Santa invite. The holidays are about connection, and leaning into your community will remind you that you’re not alone in navigating the season.
The holiday season doesn’t have to overwhelm you. By prioritizing what matters, setting boundaries, practicing self-care, embracing flexibility, and leaning into your community, you can enjoy this time of year without sacrificing your well-being. Leadership is about balance, and the way you care for yourself sets the tone for those around you. So, this holiday season, let’s commit to thriving, not just surviving. Take these strategies to heart and share them with your team or community. Have a tip or practice that works for you? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear from you! Together, we can lead boldly, live balanced, and enter the new year ready to shine.
Be You. Be Bold. Be Transformational.
In Service,
Ivory
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