As one year comes to an end and you start to look forward to the New Year, it is only natural to start thinking about things you want to do differently (exercise more, eat healthier, quit smoking, etc.), but instead of making the same old New Year’s resolutions, try something different this year. Before looking forward to next year, let’s look back on the past year. Take some time to reflect on what went right in the last year.
• How did you grow as a person?
• What qualities have you strengthened?
• Which current relationships in your life grew stronger?
• What new relationships have you forged?
• What memories have you created?
• Did you take a special trip or vacation?
• Attend a conference or seminar that impacted you positively?
• How have you contributed to your community?
• Did you donate time or money to a cause that’s important to you?
• What have you achieved or accomplished in your personal or professional life?
• Did you meet your business goals?
• Receive a promotion or award at work?
• Complete an important project?
• What are you proud of having accomplished in 2009?
Set aside 30 minutes to actually sit down with a journal or a piece of paper and write down as many things you can think of. Aim for at least 25, but don’t stop there, write as many as you can. Challenge a friend or family member to join you and then share your lists. Next, take a recipe card and on one side write down your top five most important accomplishments. On the other side write down three ways you’ve grown over the past year. Keep this card handy for whenever you need a positive boost. Focussing on what worked is a great foundation for planning for the upcoming year.
Before we set specific goals for the year, it’s important to do some basic self-assessment. I use the Wheel of Life as an assessment tool. You can do this by drawing a large circle on a piece of paper and divide the circle into ten slices. Each slice represents an area of your life. The categories I use are:
• Fun and Recreation
• Career
• Money
• Spirituality
• Physical Environment
• Personal Growth
• Significant Other/Romance
• Health
• Friends
• Family
Feel free to use these or add or subtract categories that make sense to you. Seeing the centre of the wheel as 0 or not satisfied and the outer edge of the circle as 10 or completely satisfied, indicate your level of satisfaction in each area of your life by drawing a curved line to create a new outer edge (for example if my level of satisfaction with my health was a five, I would draw a new line about 1/2 way through the Health slice). Once you have indicated your level of satisfaction for each area, take a look at your new wheel and reflect on your life – how bumpy is your ride? This assessment allows you to see visually where you may be out of balance in your life.
In the next post we will use this information to set S.M.A.R.T. goals for each slice of your life and I’ll give you some tips on how to achieve these goals. Tune in to see what S.M.A.R.T. means to me and to find out the one thing more than any other that makes some goal setters successful.
So, let’s recap:
• Take time to make a list and celebrate your accomplishments from 2009
• Write down your top five accomplishments and three ways you’ve grown in the past year
• Do the Wheel of Life self-assessment
• Stay tuned for part two...
The holidays are upon us and it's possible you're starting feel the stress that often accompanies this season. The following are a few tips to help you get through this 'most wonderful time of the year':
Set Boundaries - for yourself and with your family
· Choose what you will say YES to and and what you will say NO to
· Choose parties and events that will give you energy rather than deplete it
· Be clear with your family about how you want things to go over the holidays
· If you have family coming to stay with you, be clear about how long they can stay, give them your 'house rules' (yours may be different than theirs), if you are clear up front, there is less room for conflict during the visit
· If you are on a budget, let your family know and agree on a price range for gift-giving that works with your budget
Look for the joy - turn irritations into enjoyable moments
· Smile, slow down, take time to just "BE", breathe
· If you're in a traffic jam, put in your favourite CD and sing like no one's watching
· In a long line at the grocery store? Spend the time thinking about all the things in your life that you're grateful for (perhaps including the hard-working cashier)
· Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season by taking a drive to see the lights around the city or by taking in a concert
Create memories or new traditions
· Schedule a date with your spouse or significant other and use the time to unplug from the madness and just enjoy the evening together
· Take the whole family to a seasonal event and make it an annual tradition (the Santa Claus parade, the lighting of the lights, a play or concert)
· Donate to a local charity to help someone in need in your community (salvation army, food bank, mission services)
· Make an event out of decorating the house and tree and involve the whole family
Happy Holidays to all; make it a great season!
