The holidays are here!  With the combination of work parties, family activities, an expanded to do list, and all the end of the year craziness, you may not have been sitting at your desk, hitting refresh on the Apochromatik blog. We’ve rounded up some of our resources on the holidays, both articles that have quoted us as experts, and our own blog posts that can help you end December with deepened work relationships, having advanced your career, and with time and energy left for your most important relationships. 

So make yourself some cocoa and take a few minutes to gather tips and motivation to help make the next few weeks a season to cherish rather than endure. 

How to approach and benefit from holiday parties

Does the phrase “office holiday party” stress you out?  It doesn’t have to.  This article from NBC quotes Amy M. Gardner and gives specific tips you can follow to make the most of your office holiday party. In fact, holiday parties can help you expand your network, as we explained in this Apochromatik blog post.

Give gifts inside and outside the office without blowing your budget, offending your coworkers, or ticking off your spouse.

Give great gifts

Still need to pick out a gift for an assistant or coworker?  Ignore the advice you’ll see this time of year on other websites (no, your assistant doesn’t actually want a book on efficiency, a hot pink stapler, or a donation to charity) and review our guide of what not to give and some great go to gifts.

No idea what to give your significant other?  This Brit + Co article featuring advice from Amy M. Gardner can help you remove the stress of exchanging gifts with your significant other.

Reduce and manage stress 

During this time when you’re trying to make the holidays special for everyone else, be sure to make time to care for yourself.  It needn’t be time-consuming or expensive — as Amy M. Gardner explains in this article, it can be as simple as spending a few minutes reflecting on the things for which you’re grateful.  

Expand Your Network

Dreading another holiday gathering? Review our suggestions on how holiday parties can help you expand your network.

Take advantage of the quiet days in the office and maintain your motivation

Working while your coworkers are out?  Don’t just watch cat videos when you find yourself in a mostly empty office — make the most of it by following some of our 12 suggestions for ways to invest the day. 

Guest poster Molly Barnes shares 7 ways to maintain your career motivation over the holidays.

Get your job application materials ready for 2022

The first quarter of the year is the best time to land a new job. Make sure your materials are in shape by going to www.resumeredo.com.

Curl up with a good book

For resources on Executive Presence, check out our Apochromatik Book Bundle 1: Executive Presence.
For resources on Leadership, check out our Apochromatik Book Bundle 2: Leadership.
For resources on Feedback, check out our Apochromatik Book Bundle 3: Feedback.
For resources on Career Planning, check out our Apochromatik Book Bundle 4: Career Planning. 
For resources on negotiation, check out our Apochromatik Book Bundle 5: Negotiation 

Watch some great videos and be inspired

Whether your tastes run more to Rocky or the West Wing, let some great Hollywood beginnings inspire your own great beginning for 2022.  Or check out Denzel Washington’s advice if you need a pep talk.  

Add a writing credit to your bio

There are a lot of good reasons to try to get an article or blog post published in 2022. But rather than spending 6 months worrying about footnotes, consider writing a guest post for the Apochromatik blog. Send an email to amy@apochromatik.com to learn more.

How will you make 2022 even better?

Will 2022 be the year you finally stop sliding through your career and start deciding?  Will 2022 be the year when you finally achieve your goals and feel the sense of pride and accomplishment you deserve?  

Consider joining Achieve22! This four hour virtual retreat on January 2, 2022 will prepare you to make 2022 your best year yet. You can register at www.aposignup.com/achieve22.

We appreciate your reading, and look forward to helping you make 2022 your best year yet.