As the year draws to a close, it’s a great time to take stock – to look at what worked, as well as what didn’t – so you can enter the new year with confidence and enthusiasm.
With 2018 just around the corner, it’s natural to reflect on the year that was, whether it was a year you’d rather forget or one you’ll look back on fondly. Use these three simple guidelines to help you be your best self as you go forward.
Refilwe Marathe, Executive Life Coach at the Human Refinery, says people are usually very hard on themselves. “When you recognise your achievements and celebrate them, you’ll feel encouraged and motivated,” she advises. Make time to do this and consider your large and small achievements in all areas of your life: career, finance, relationships and health. Instead of making a “To do” list, create a “Done” list, chronicling what you’ve achieved during the year. It can include anything from completing a short course, to reading the book that’s been sitting next to your bed for months, running a marathon or visiting a country on your bucket list.
Be honest
If you’re one of those people who made New Year’s resolutions in January, go back to them. Look at what you’ve managed to accomplish, and what you didn’t. Were there specific reasons you didn’t follow through? Unpack the reasons and use this exercise as a learning curve.
“No doubt there will be some disappointments, but facing them gives you a great release, and when you take time to think about what happened rather than pretending it doesn't matter, a huge weight will be lifted from you,” Marathe says. “This will allow you to clear away the feelings of failure and make room for more positive feelings.”
Look forward
Depending on what you’ve already achieved and what is outstanding, you need to realign your goals and plans for the coming year. Take into consideration the circumstances and realities you face and ensure your goals are realistic. If you’re over-ambitious, you’ll simply be setting yourself up for failure.
“If you try to do everything, you will most likely end up doing nothing, because it will all be too much to manage,” warns Life Coach Randy Riley from Life Coach Hub. He recommends focusing on one or two big things at a time and only once those are achieved, moving on to the next one. “Think of the excitement and pride you’ll feel when you complete each task,” he says.
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