Hosting a Holiday Open House: Lessons Learned from the Clarity Catalyst

I threw a Holiday Open House for my clients and I was able to put so much of what I learned (and teach!) in the Clarity Catalyst into action.

1. Let go of expectations: I forgot a lot of things for this party: the plates, the flowers, ice, to cut and serve the fresh bread I made...But guess what? It was all ok. I sent my husband to the store and he got all the things. No one got to eat the bread, but that's ok. My kids were thrilled we got to have it all to ourselves. I had an expectation of how things would go and they absolutely did not go that way. Do things ever go exactly as planned??? Letting go of expectations (a Clarity Catalyst tool) let me move forward without freaking out that the reality didn't match my vision. Everything works out one way or another!

2. The Inner Gremlin is a liar: At about 10 minutes to party time, I thought I'd better get dressed and put on some makeup. I left my husband handling the ice and setting out cups. The flowers weren't in vases, the only food on the table was a veggie platter, and I hadn't made the signature mocktail/cocktail. I figured no one would show up on time so it'd be fine...Guess what? They DID show up on time and it WAS still fine! One of my clients started on the flowers, another put out the cheese and crackers, and one just hung out chatting with my husband, content to be there. No one was angry, no one was snarky or judging me, everyone was happy to help, and we got the rest of the food out in no time! No one is going to show up to your house hoping to catch you with egg on your face (or no makeup on your face as the case may be). There is no need to listen to the Voice of Judgment in your head who is telling you they will all go home and talk about how unprepared you were for their arrival. (We talk about the VOJ and how to tame it in the Clarity Catalyst.) They want you to have a successful party because they are your friends!

3. Clear is kind: My daughter spent the night out the night before the party. I had told her I was going to need her help on Sunday. What I didn't make clear was the exact time I needed her! As the hours and minutes ticked by, I noticed myself getting huffy and starting to panic because there was so much left to do, but I stopped and said out loud, "You have all the time in the world." (This is another tool!) Panicking and rushing from task to task without finishing anything wasn't going to get this party on track. Fussing at my daughter in my head wasn't going to teach her a lesson. I took three deep breaths, (that I really didn't feel like I had time to take) and set to one task at a time. Had I been clear with her and said to be home by 11:30, she would have been. It wasn't her fault, it was mine! I wasn't clear with what I needed. People can't read my mind, no matter how much I wish they would!

4. Be here now: Some of my clients didn't know each other, some had only met on Zoom, and others were reunited with friends. Meeting new people can be magical! Talking with strangers and asking powerful questions (another tool) can not only be entertaining, but helpful! Someone you meet could be just the resource you were looking to find for a new project. They might be the connection to your next client, partner, or best friend! Being open to others, really being present with them, and seeing them with your heart (yet ANOTHER tool) deepens the connections you make with others.

5. I have the best clients in the world: Okay, I didn't really learn this because i already knew it! What I relearned is that I have a lot to do with that. I'm not just tooting my own horn here. What I mean is that my personality and my high vibration is drawing in exactly the people who need my services right now. I am attracting those who will benefit most from my programs and who will benefit from their experiences with each other. I know this might be a little woo-woo for some of you, but haven't you noticed how sometimes JUST the right person is put in front of you at JUST the right time? I don't think that's an accident or a coincidence. I think God/the Universe/Source works in mysterious ways and I am happy to be open and part of that plan. Having no expectations and trusting the process (more from Clarity Catalyst!) has worked really well for me so far!

I hope you will consider joining one of my FREE Intentional Living 2024 workshops in January to learn more about the CIJ Clarity Catalyst program. The social emotional tools you learn in this 8-week transformative class (that started at Stanford University!) not only help you prep for a holiday party without stress, they allow you to live authentically, create the life you desire in an intentional way, and listen to your inner Voice of Wisdom who will never lead you astray. Whether you register for the course or just come to a workshop, you will gain insightful tools for a purposeful 2024.

Links to register can be found HERE.

I hope to see you there!