Category: Holiday

Tips on How to Keep Your Holidays Meaningful and Bright!

Posted on by In Order to Succeed Team

*sounds of Santa’s Sleigh bells ringing*

Ho! Ho! Holy smokes is it that time of year again?! We’ve been planning our days between peppermint coffee time and frasier fir blitzen cocktail time. Did another year that felt like a strange 10 finally get to the most magical and busiest of times? Since it’s started getting dark at 2 PM, Santas Outlook has maxed out its storage from all the Black Friday sales and my alarm clock has been set to Mele Kalikimaka I think … “Oh by gosh, by golly” it is! (try not to picture Santa in a Speedo).

I thought I would chime in for a seasonal eggnog cool yule chat to offer some tools to give you all the inspiration you need to stay positive and organized this holiday season amidst such a monumental year.

“You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I’m telling you why

Santa Claus is comin’ to town
Santa Claus is comin’ to town
Santa Claus is comin’ to town”

1. Pay It Forward

If this year has taught you anything it’s what you need versus what you want. You don’t need anything on Etsy Kelsey. So please for the love of schnitzel with noodles and all things gingerbread do not add to cart that electric scooter. Come January 1st you will solely regret it. You have everything you already need right in front of you; however, sadly there are still so many people that are in real need this Christmas — that have undergone profound loss, hardship and are struggling to stay jolly this time of year. So, Santa says, “Pay it forward when no one is watching.” Friends, a little kindness goes a long way. Buy the person in line behind you at Starbucks their grande mocha frappe wanna hippopotamus for Christmas with 17 pumps of caramel and an extra shot of sugar. It will make their day more than you know. Christmas, is more about giving than receiving.

“Pa rum pum pum pum”

2. Donate

Remember that warm winter coat or hand stitched sweater your Auntie made you that you know you will never wear? Santa says, “donate” it to a nearby coat drive at your neighborhood congregation. Or donate $1 to 10 different organizations that are truly making a difference in our world everyday. Ones that are the nearest and dearest to your hearts. Folks, those people and places are where real magic have occured. The real heroes of 2021 should be celebrated. Even better donate your time to a local homeless shelter or elderly community. We all need to be reminded of humanity this Christmas and give the gift of laughter, love, and community. The theme of 2021 was coming together, apart. We learned and experienced how powerful every little bit can count when we all act and do our part. It takes each of us to be the change we want to see.

“A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear”

3. Presence over Presents

Listen, Santa knows that this was going to be your year. 2021 was going to be the year you got everything you wanted — success in your job, your relationships, your emotions, health, finances, everything was going to align and be coming up roses, but this is the year you were given where you ended up knowing what you were truly grateful for. What really matters. Santa says, “Sometimes limitations can set you free.” 2021 taught us to do less than obsess. This Christmas, whether you are with family, friends, or your roommate remember that their presence their gifts of life that you so freely borrow are the best presents that don’t come with a gift receipt. Show how much you appreciate them by giving those gifts back and raising a glass in their honor.

“Love and joy come to you
And to you a Wassail too
And God bless you and send you
A Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year”

4. Sing

Wherever you are this holiday season whether in the snows of New England, up in the Pacific Northwest, or on the warm tropical beaches on the Florida Coast I really hope you get into the spirit of a festive Christmas sing this year. I don’t mean sitting back in your Lazyboy listening to Uncle Earl have all the fun, I mean throwing back your heads, opening up your hearts and singing as loud or as pretty as you know how. Gang, singing is a lot more fun than you’ll ever know unless you give it a go sometime. So, Santa says, “Knock back the Christmas punch and let that elf on the shelf fly baby!”

“The moon is right
The spirits up
We’re here tonight
And that’s enough
Simply havin’ a wonderful Christmastime
Simply havin’ a wonderful Christmastime”

5. Make A List and Check It Twice

I have said it once and I will say it again. One of the best tried and true ways to start succeeding in your organizing needs in all aspects of your life is to make a list. Santa’s got it down pat, I am a very organized man dealing with many little rugrats across the globe. Santa says, “Make a list (that you won’t lose) of everything to get accomplished that week.” The name of the game is attainable goals. Not reaching for the stars Brendan, nothing outside the realm of possibility Angela, but tangible, attainable goals. Groceries, gifts, appointments, reminders, etc. If you throw it all into one singular sensation of a list, you’ll be able to essentially prioritize more successfully your outsourced to-do’s instead of feeling so overwhelmed to accomplish it all in one day that you run for cover and the Chardonnay. So, be your own Santa this year (including the quaranten), make your list and check it twice. Who knows, maybe you’ll do so well, someone special will leave you a plateful of milk and cookies.

6. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

This is a year this has been a year that will go down in infamy. Do yourself the biggest blessing you can and end it on a good note. I know we all have every fatigue in the book (you try keeping a mask on Rudolph), but there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. We are in a new age of healing, empathy, forgiveness and faith.

Can I ask you a question? At some point this year did you ever lay in bed wide awake? Did your thoughts take you in every corner of anxiety and helplessness wondering what the next day was going to look like? How you and your family will make it to next month? Yes? Me too. I’ve received so many letters asking for guidance, hope, a better situation and to that end I’d like to share with you that whenever Santa is laying in bed wide awake thinking of all of you, I like to hum that classic Bing Crosby tune,

“When I’m worried and I can’t sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings”

From the bottom of my heart I wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and hearty holiday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Oh! And I almost forgot, please don’t forget to wear a mask this holidays season. Be smart — don’t try to pull a fast one over Santa … I know when you’re sleeping I know when you’re awake I know when you’re not wearing your PPE so be safe for goodness sake! Santa out!

*sound of Santa dropping the candy cane mic*

Get Through the Holiday Hustle

Posted on by In Order to Succeed Team

There is no busier time of year than now when it comes to balancing work and life. Parties and other social engagements, cards, kids’ performances, work events—it all adds up to a tremendous amount of things to get done. But you don’t have to do them all alone.  In Order to Succeed can provide virtual and physical assistance any time of year to help with a variety of tasks allowing you to balance, and enjoy, all that is on your plate. If you’ve never used a service such as this before, consider this primer the only resource you need to maximize your use of this service. We’ll show you what we can take care of, how it will help, and how to prepare to make it the best experience possible.

Would Assistance Help?

Imagine if you could be in two places at once. Sitting at your home office desk addressing holiday cards or thank you notes and at a charity holiday celebration. Shopping for New Year’s Eve dinner and taking your family to a holiday show. While that’s impossible, In Order to Succeed can provide the exact same benefits of being in two places at once thanks to our professional concierge and lifestyle management offerings.

Many clients are surprised to learn how they can use this service to lighten the load.  Many others don’t realize the benefits of assistance.

What Can In Order to Succeed Provide and How Can It Help?

It’s no secret that stress runs high during the holiday season and that there is very little time to relax—especially when balancing work and home. But there are some simple tasks you don’t have to do which frees up time to spend with those you love or take care of yourself.

Reservations

Face it: you don’t have to be the one to spend time online or on the phone booking everything. This can take a substantial amount of time, time better spent on other activities. Take this task off your list, saving a few hours during the holidays, and dedicate that time to something you’d rather do. In Order to Succeed can make reservations for:

  • Transportation including airline, helicopter, and jet flights; and also car services.
  • Lodging
  • Salon, spa and other health-related services
  • Restaurant
  • Tickets for the theatre, sporting events, and concerts

Time Saving Tip: Make a list of all the reservations you need, your seating and class preferences, rewards programs’ numbers, travel/event dates and have it ready for your assistant—this will cut down on considerable time. Keep this list updated on your computer for quick access in the future.

Planning

Get Through the Holiday HustleYou know what you like, and you know what you need.  Allow In Order to Succeed to help take the time out of holiday season tasks by getting these seasonal tasks done for you:

  • Calendar management
  • Party planning
  • Catering and food preparation
  • Access to trusted vendors such as florists and photographers — no time wasted researching vendors and review!

Time Saving Tip: Be sure to prepare a list of preferred vendors, items, colors, and include your budget guidelines.

Communications

Holiday cards are time consuming. Combine our tips for managing your holiday mailing list with a virtual assistant and your cards will be done in no time. Be sure to update your list throughout the year and note any differences such as personal, business, and specific needs such as whether or not you’re sending a different card to a specific group of people.

Time Saving Tip: Keep your spreadsheet available and update it throughout the year as people move or new people need to be added. During holiday card season, immediately enter addresses from those not currently on your list so that you are sure to send to them next year.

Shopping & Errands

You don’t have to spend time online or in brick and mortar stores searching and standing on line – your virtual assistant can provide exceptional shopping services. In Order to Succeed can take on:

  • Shopping and errand running
  • Sourcing of tough to find products
  • Tips for how to better organize tasks

Time Saving Tip: Keep a running list of places you do or do not shop, along with brands, to keep things running smoothly. Including budget guidelines and other item-specific notes also helps!

Deck The Halls

Dining chairs decked out for the holidays. More in this series.While you’ll want to save the tree decorating for yourself, In Order to Succeed can provide help with decorating your house for the season—everything from purchasing to putting up your decorations and setting the holiday season table.

Time Saving Tip: Be sure to have a list that includes any color and style preferences, particular motifs (do you want secular, religious, or a mix), and whether or not you have an item that always comes out (an heirloom menorah, for example).

Benefits

It’s clear: there are many parts of the holiday season that could be passed on to someone else, giving you more time to devote your talents, energy to yourself and others.  Not only will this lighten your own to do list, but In Order to Succeed has experts in everything, meaning things will be done efficiently and to your expectations. Here’s why our concierge service is the best idea for this busy time.  It allows you to:

  • Free up time spent on the phone or online.
  • Say yes to events you’d love to attend but can’t because of other commitments.
  • Leave decision-making to others.
  • Be confident that our vendors are trusted and beloved by other clients.
  • Take the things you don’t enjoy off your plate.

Before You Call

Decorating a Christmas TreeSave even more time by preparing some information before hiring your assistant. Make a list of everything you still need to complete during this holiday season, keeping in mind:

  • last minute travel plans
  • holiday cards
  • party preparations
  • shopping and errands

Next think of everything you need to have to do these things:

  • preferred businesses
  • rewards club numbers
  • dates
  • preferences
  • size and color options
  • budget guidelines

Prioritize what needs to get done when and then contact us. In Order to Succeed will provide the highest quality, intuitive assistance to get you through the holidays with grace, style and without stress.

How to Organize a Holiday Mailing List

Posted on by In Order to Succeed Team

In our digital world receiving a holiday card or letter can instantly bring a smile. It’s a classy, old school way of letting people know you’re thinking of them. Addressing and sending those cards, though, well that can feel like you’re receiving a pile of coal. Let this year be the year you tackle the holiday mailing list as we show you how to organize a holiday mailing list.  With a few simple tips on how to organize a holiday mailing list.  you can easily organize mailing list for years to come. Go on, make someone’s day with a holiday card. 

How to Organize a Holiday Mailing List

Address list - How to organize a holiday mailing listFirst things first, commit to the task of mailing holiday cards. Set aside a few hours to tackle your cards in one sitting or set aside a few minutes each day giving yourself a clear deadline. 

Pick a Mailing List Application

Next, and here comes the stressful part, you need to pick your contact “universe.” Most likely you have the addresses of everyone you’re going to send a card to, but they may be scattered between your home and office, possibly half in an address book and half stored in your work contact list, maybe even some on your social networks. When it comes to managing your contacts efficiently, consider using an online klausur schreiben lassen tool to streamline the process. Now is the time to consolidate your contacts and their addresses in a single format. Decide between Apple tools like Calendar, iCloud, and Apple Mail or Google tools like Gmail, Google Calendar, or a simple Excel spreadsheet or an online card store. If you’re missing some addresses, a quick email should suffice. Consider seeking professional help with this task through ghostwriting österreich services to ensure a seamless and efficient process. Tell your family and friends you’re updating your contacts and would like their latest information.  The most important thing is to pick how you are going to keep your contacts organized and stick with it. Having your contacts spread out amongst a handful of services is an easy way to become disorganized and overwhelmed.

Putting Your Mailing List Altogether 

After you’ve picked your organizing universe, export all of your contact databases. When you export contacts from various places, you will be left with a series of spreadsheets and then you’ll need to import them into your organizing universe of choice. It’s likely you’ll have duplicates and will need to sort through your list to weed them out. Google has an easy way to do this with Find & Merge Duplicates or you can use a spreadsheet tool like Excel to find your duplicates and remove them.

Now it’s time to organize your contacts by type. You’ll want to sort your contacts into friends, business contacts, and Hausarbeit schreiben lassen, as the holiday cards you send to those groups will likely be different. After you gather your list and remove duplicates, you are ready to use that list to send your cards. 

Creating Address Labels and Mailing the Cards

Holiday CardDecide how you will address your holiday cards. If you used Excel to organize your addresses you can create address labels from the spreadsheet or if you are using another program you can easily export them into Excel and then create the labels. If you have nice handwriting and not too big of a list consider addressing the cards by hand.

Last Steps

  • Double-check that your return address is correct on the envelopes. 
  • Keep a few extra cards and blank envelopes on hand in case you receive a greeting from someone you left off your list. 
  • Update the address of anyone whose card is returned as non-deliverable.

 These simple steps on how to organize a holiday mailing list will save you time for years to come.