Top Time Tips from Scottish Businesswoman of the Year, Karen Cairney

Whether you’re building your career or running a business, the festive season undoubtedly adds to stress levels and it’s very easy to drive yourself to burn out in the pursuit of having a picture perfect December.

We asked Scottish Businesswoman of the Year*, Karen Cairney, CEO of Glasgow-based Fundraising Management Consulting Firm, Cairney & Company, on how to best manage your tasks this Christmas and still find time to enjoy the festivities…

Get prepped

It’s still early December, which means you still have plenty of time to prep. The humble list is your friend. From gift shopping and menu planning to who is getting a Christmas card this year, get it all down on a list. Each evening make your way through one. You’ll be in control and with manageable bitesized tasks, you might even feel the festive spirit start to creep in.

Take a step back

We need to remind ourselves that the pressures we face this month are often created by others, and what we allow to be imposed upon us. This is real life not a Hallmark Christmas movie. Take a step back and think about what you can and can’t control, taking care not to overburden your schedule.

Start each day with your favourite cuppa and think about what you would like to achieve both at work and in your personal life? List one or two major tasks and one or two minor for each. Then focus your time and energies on the major and if there’s time to move to the minor then brilliant, and if you don’t it’s ok. Celebrate your successes small and big – getting through the day is sometimes an achievement in itself.

Delegate & Reflect

We often think we are the only ones who can do a particular task shunning the offer of help.  I’m here to tell you it is perfectly acceptable to accept or ask for help when and where you need it. If you’re a small business owner or busy working mum reach out to your network and create a “support circle”. By giving a couple of hours of your time, you can benefit from someone else donating theirs to you, when you need it most. Then at the end of each day, in a moment of quietness, reflect on what you have achieved with that added assistance. Feels good doesn’t it?

Take time out

All too many of us feel guilty about taking time out to enjoy the work Christmas lunch, time with friends or even dare I say time just for you?  Well, don’t! Go and celebrate your team’s hard work and what you’ve achieved this year. Have a cocktail or two with the girls. Watch the school Nativity play or holiday concert if you have children, nieces or nephews, or children of friends – it will warm your heart and remind you of what this time of year is all about. People always remember those who showed up for them when it was most important.

Switch off

Put the phone away, and turn off the laptop from a set time each evening. We are slaves to technology and it has a detrimental effect on most of us. After a week you’ll feel the mental and physical benefits of this tech-detox.

Give back

In the festive spirit, choose a charity or cause you feel passionately about and as an individual, family or business pledge to donate either time or money - whichever you can spare - in 2022. At Cairney & Company we make donations every year to a charity of our employees choice. This year we’ve worked with MND Scotland, The Trussell Trust (Food Banks), The Dr Lori Houlihan Glioblastoma Fund and locally to St Stephen’s & St Kevin’s Primaries in Sighthill, Glasgow. Knowing you’ve made a difference, however small, is a great feeling.

Be Kind to Yourself

Finally, be kind to yourself and make time to build your own emotional wellbeing and resilience.

*The National Business Women's Awards 2021