Last weekend I pulled out my trusty old Vitantonio pizzelle iron to make a batch of pizzelles for the holidays. (Admit it: you probably don't know anyone who actually owns a pizzelle maker. It's OK; I'm used to people saying that.)

 

Pizzelles were an integral part of the Christmas celebration in my childhood home, and they were the centerpiece of the cookie display on our Italian-American Christmas table. Although you'll not likely find a pizzelle recipe endorsed by the American Heart Association, I still like to make them today as gifts for friends over the holidays.

 

The process of making pizzelles is an act of love and patience. You bake two at a time, and it takes about a half a minute for each set of cookies. You do the math: it's a labor intensive activity.

 

In fact, pizzelles embody the opposite of what I usually talk about in terms of time management and productivity. Let's face it, there's nothing productive about making two cookies at a time.

 

But there are times of the year when we change our rhythm, and special holidays are one of those times. You can't make pizzelles when you are in a hurry, impatient, frustrated, or anxious.

 

Instead, when you carve out the time to make two cookies at a time, there is a meditative quality to the process. You need to repeat it over and over to create dozens of cookies. And when you're finished, there's a great sense of accomplishment.

 

Pizzelle making - or your equivalent activity - is a metaphor to slow down and enjoy doing something different than what you normally do day-to-day. Think of it as cross-training for the mind and spirit.

 

I hope that you can change your rhythm during this holiday season. It will jolt your neural pathways a bit, and that's good for creativity and new ideas.

 

Have a great week, and Merry Christmas!  

 

 

Copyright 2009 Lisa M. Aldisert

 

 

---

 

 

Our goal is to provide you with timely tips so that you can more effectively run your business. We know you have a ton of mail in your inbox, so we're committed to brevity and practicality.

 

 

Remember to acknowledge the contributions of people who you might not normally recognize. The act of doing so means a great deal to them.

 

 

Take a moment and do something special for someone who is in your daily life. It will make both of you feel great. 

 

 

Are ping-pong parents the next soccer moms? The New York Times reports how ping-pong is taking off as a serious sport and building community at the same time. 

 

 

 

 

Julia E. Rosenbaum