Time to reflect ?? and dream ??

The holidays can be a joyous, wonderous, and sometimes stressful, time of year. The hustle and bustle of shopping, events, family gatherings... It may be hard to remain present and truly appreciate the little moments.

We here at TLG would like to take the opportunity to share some positive thoughts, uplifting words, and energizing ideas to take you through the Holidays and into 2025! ?????????

This month's newsletter includes:

• A focus on mental health while balancing work and life
• Some new year motivation (that doesn't have to include resolutions!)
• New year, new career?
• Tis the Season' for giving - a message from our CEO

Let's get this party started groupies~

Mental Health focus during the holidays

During the holiday season schedules get busier, and it can be stressful trying to balance work and home life. Shopping, gift giving, baking, family events, work events, deadlines....and more deadlines. It is important to stop and take time to protect your peace. ???

Here are 5 tips to get you through!

1. Set Realistic Goals and Expectations: It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of a “perfect” holiday. Instead, focus on what truly matters to you and set realistic goals. Have an idea in your head of what the season will look like, and what your limits are.
2. Prioritize Self-Care: Take time for activities that help you relax and recharge. Identify what works for you and make a list to refer to when needed. Choose your top three favorites that are available at a moment's notice. Examples: breathing exercises, short walks, and journaling things you’re thankful for.
3. Stay Connected: Some people balance events, work, and family, while others may be alone or overwhelmed. Social connection is crucial for support and reducing loneliness. Reach out to friends and family, even with a quick call or message. Consider getting out to volunteer or attend a community event.
4. Manage Your Time: Holiday stress often comes from feeling short on time. Establish reasonable time limits and say no to activities that add stress. For example, set a time limit for shopping, whether online or in-store. When that time is up, move on to another activity. *For work/life balance, a great option is The Pomodoro Technique. This allows work bursts with short breaks for reset, and also some longer breaks to make calls, order that gift online, go for a quick walk, or wrap a present.
5. Limit Social Media Use: social media can lead to comparisons and feelings of inadequacy, not to mention is quite the time suck! Not everyone has or wants a holiday with piles of presents under the tree, so seeing those photos can lead to intense emotions. Spend less time on social media and more on family or self-care.

New Year, New You? Or no 'Resolution' in sight?

There seem to be 2 camps around the end of each year: The 'New Year, New You' crowd, and the ones that think that is utterly too much pressure and highly unnecessary.

We are going to talk about what can be found in the middle of the two, and it includes a recommendation on how to perceive the new year, and what to do next.

I personally love the new year. It feels like a gift. Another circle around the sun. I am also the person that believes "365 days a year, 365 new chances".

Let's substitute the word resolution and see how it feels.

? Do you have goals for the new year?

? Do you have intentions moving forward?

? Would you like a refresh or restart period?

Simply changing your narrative could be helpful.

Still, too much pressure? Experts recommend simplifying a take on something new by podcast listening, or audiobooks. These often give a bit of motivation, can target a certain subject of interest, and can be listened to while working, exercising, or driving on your commute.

The great thing about choosing to listen to something each day is that you can pick out the parts that work for you, giving you a sense of novelty without all the associated pressure.

A recommended read (or audiobook) that will assist with this: Atomic Habits. This book breaks it all down into bite size pieces that are easy to digest. The author even offers a website of resources in conjunction.

Here are some other resources he offers as well- Free Resources - James Clear

You're welcome.

New Year, New Career?

As the clock strikes midnight and the New Year begins, many of us take a moment to reflect on where we’re headed—and for some, that means a career change. This could be for many reasons, but often it feels like a great time for a fresh start.

Looking at the statistic above, it makes you wonder; why would such a large portion of the total workforce change jobs so often? We did a little research and narrowed it down to a few big reasons (this is not a full representation by any means):

• Lack of Career Advancement or Autonomy: Employees often seek opportunities for growth and development. If they feel stuck in their current role or lack decision-making power, they often believe they've reached a dead end in that position.
• Unhappy with Compensation: Dissatisfaction with salary or benefits can drive employees to seek better-paying positions.
• Bad Management or Toxic Workplace: Poor relationships with managers or ineffective leadership can make even a good job intolerable, as well as working with employees who foster a negative culture.
• Desire for New Challenges: Sometimes, people simply want a change of scenery or new challenges to keep their work life interesting and fulfilling.

As always with a job change, it is important to consider all your factors, which will be personal to you. Some look for flexibility, some consider the benefits package, some want advancement opportunities.

New year job search? We can help-

If you're looking for a career change, now is a great time to explore roles that match your passions, especially in interpreting. The Virginia Institute of Interpreting (V.I.I.) can help you succeed by teaching industry standards and offering prep for certifications to turn your bilingual skills into career assets.

Being an interpreter is a deeply fulfilling career that bridges language gaps and enables communication. It offers endless learning, cultural adventures, and diverse work settings like hospitals and courtrooms. As demand increases, interpreters enjoy stable jobs and attractive incomes. Most importantly, they make a profound impact by fostering connections and building meaningful relationships.

Consider the differences between full-time and on-site interpreter roles: full-time offers stability and benefits, while on-site provides variety and new challenges. Whichever path you choose, it's a perfect time to start. Cheers to new beginnings!

Tis' the Season for Giving.

A note from our CEO and Founder of The Language Group.

Thank you to all The Language Groupies and we look forward to seeing you in 2025!

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