I love the threshold time between Christmas and New Year’s to reflect on the closing year and “throw forward” my vision for the year to come. To help me, I follow a simple format called Complete and Create. Feel free to follow along and begin your own annual ritual. Thanks to my former coach, Jeffrey, for this powerful and fun exercise.
Step One – List This Year’s Successes
List your accomplishments and “aha” moments – anything worth celebrating. These personal triumphs need not be earth shattering in anyone else’s book – as long as they are meaningful to you.
Here’s a sample of a few the 23 successes from my list:
- Bought flowers for myself regularly
- I fire walked twice (!)
- I have many deep, wonderful friendships
- I’ve had Evan as my action buddy for a full year
Take a moment with each of your successes and feel the accomplishment.
Step Two – List Your Disappointments
Take an honest inventory of where you felt held back in your life last year. There’s no need to sink into feelings of failure. Simply acknowledge each and move along. One of my disappointments was that my temper can create problems for me. A little background: in a frustrated moment I “laid hands” on my laptop and damaged the hard drive. That was a low.
Step Three – List Lessons Learned
You are a year wiser now. If you could time travel forward and give yourself some advice, what would you say? Example: Jean, back up your computer and respect your technology. Be grateful when systems are running well. Be absolutely grateful.
Step Four – List Your Successes for the Upcoming Year
It’s crystal ball time – imagine what you will be celebrating this time next year. Me? I’ll double my income and travel more internationally – this time with more friends to keep me company on my journeys.
How ‘bout them apples?
Now it’s your turn. I’d be honored to witness your Complete and Create Process. You can email me at Jean@JeanFranzblau.com.
Happy New Year!
