Leading Well Through the Holiday Season – a six-part series aimed to help you lead and live well throughout the Holiday Season (Week 2)
By Bianca Schaefer
Week 2: Leading Well with Mental Clarity
Recently, I’d only been awake for a half hour when I realized my mind had already raced through three meetings, replayed yesterday’s conversations, and planned the entire week. Even though my body was still tired, my thoughts were already weighed down by extra responsibilities, events, and expectations this season brings—from work deadlines to family gatherings. The holidays often intensify mental clutter, making it easy to feel overwhelmed before the day has even begun. This moment reminded me how essential it is to cultivate mental clarity intentionally.
The holidays can overload your mind with expectations, noise, and decision fatigue. Seasonal pressures—planning events, balancing work, family, and community needs, or trying to “keep everything together”—can make mental clutter feel heavier than usual. As a leader, your thought life directly impacts how you show up, make decisions, and respond to others. Mental clarity isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for effective leadership.
Mental clarity is essential for wise leadership.
Distraction diminishes discernment.
Overthinking quiets the voice of God.
This week, the goal is to give your mind space to breathe so you can make decisions grounded in truth, not pressure.
Choose Your Mental Inputs
Be intentional about what you read, listen to, and meditate on. Mental clutter leads to emotional clutter. In a season full of extra messages, social media scrolls, and emails, it’s easy to let your mind be pulled in too many directions. Consider focusing on what encourages you, aligns with God’s truth, and strengthens your capacity to lead well.Create Thought Boundaries
Set limits around planning, problem-solving, or revisiting conversations. Endless processing is not the same as leadership. During this busy season, it’s tempting to carry everything mentally at once. Protect your focus by deciding what deserves your attention today—and what can wait.Recover Your Focus
Try short “mental resets”: silence for two minutes, a single verse repeated slowly, or deep breathing with a simple prayer like, “Lord, steady my mind.” Even brief pauses counter the season’s mental chaos, helping you approach each day with clarity, calm, and purpose. Incorporating these practices regularly builds resilience so your mind doesn’t get overwhelmed by the season’s demands.
Leadership Challenge:
Identify your biggest mental distraction and set one boundary that protects your clarity this week. Notice how intentional pauses or boundaries allow you to lead with greater focus and peace amidst the season’s busyness.
Scripture Meditation:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Isaiah 26:3, NIV
Prayer:
Lord, settle my thoughts and sharpen my discernment. Help me release the mental clutter of this busy season and focus on what truly matters. May I lead with wisdom, clarity, and a steady mind.
Blessing:
May God renew your mind with clarity, focus, and peace that lifts the weight of seasonal chaos.