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4 Tips for Surviving the Holiday Transition

In the next several weeks, a lot will be happening and that’s because everyone is in a season of transition. During these times, it’s so easy for a youth ministry to get derailed because seasons of change are messy, fast moving and crazy.

Especially during this time of year, nothing is out of the usual. All of your students are away from school, some go away on vacation, while others are in the midst of midterms. Nothing is normal during a season of change. But, when the dust settles, it’s important to keep moving as if nothing changed. You need to keep the momentum of your ministry going. If not, it’ll be a long winter and rough spring. So, how does one make the transition from one season to the next?

1. Embrace God’s Grace

Do what you physically can do and allow God to do the rest. It’s easy during seasons of change to overextend yourself. Unfortunately, if you are depleted of all energy, there is no way to move forward without feeling burned out. Make sure you schedule in time to sit with God, even if it’s just five minutes a day. It’s essential that it’s scheduled in.

2. Pass On Future Tasks

During times of transition, it’s easy to get focused on the now and forget what’s coming up. Before you get in the midst of the chaos, pass off future responsibilities to volunteers or coworkers. Doesn’t matter if it’s as simple as stapling paper, just get it off your plate so that you can do what only you can do. When the chaos settles down, you can walk into the next because everything has been prepped.

3. Write Down Goals

Make a check-list of tasks that need to be done. When you get moving, it’s easy to overlook simple tasks and responsibilities. Each day, check that list several times and use it as a way of measuring your progress. Celebrate each time you eliminate an item and then move forward.

4. Sleep, Rest and Sleep

As hard as it might seem, try to get as much sleep and rest as possible. During times of high stress, it’s tempting to resort to staying up late, eating and other bad habits that will slow you down. You need to maintain your energy; therefore, with the free time you do have, take it to refuel and refresh.

Transitions and seasons of change can be difficult; however, with a healthy pace and focus you’ll make it through. Build a system, don’t be afraid to rely on others and, above all else, know that God is walking with you.

How do you move through seasons of transition and chaos?