For the last four years, I have sat down during this holiday “mid week” to write a New Year’s blog. Today, I was very inspired and excited to read Ken Druck’s blog, which aligned exactly with my own thoughts regarding New Year’s resolutions.
This year I have decided to reframe the whole idea of making New Years resolutions. I believe that before we charge ahead setting new goals and figuring out the best actions for self-improvement, that we step back and reflect on what we have learned about ourselves (and life) over the last year.
For me, this last year was full of very big changes and challenges. So instead of charging into action to deal with 
or recover from these challenges, I decided to pull the plug for a short while and get off the crazy gerbil wheel with the three-page single spaced to do list. I admit this was very difficult as a Type A overachiever, who is super passionate about her calling! Once I unplugged, I was able to clear my head, be still and go within. As the grip loosened on my head and heart, the insights about myself, the opportunities and the ideas began to emerge. By slowing down, and taking time to reflect and journal, I became more present in the moment and began to open up to new ways of thinking and being, about myself and my work with Encore Tampa Bay.
My big “ah-ha” moment, was realizing that this is the journey that we all face at some point in our lives. At one time or another, we all hit the wall with an overwhelming challenge, we lose our job, our loved one, we lose interest in our life or we become empty nesters. Our natural tendency is to react quickly and find an immediate solution or safety net. However, if we don’t stop or slow down, we fail to allow what might already be unfolding within us. In other words, we get in our own way, instead of letting the true inner wisdom of who we were meant to be enter our consciousness.
Why do you think 80% of all people making resolutions, never achieve their goal? A big part of that resides in what we need to learn about ourselves and what we are doing to self-sabotage or prevent reaching our goals! I challenge all of you this year, to commit to some dedicated “me/quiet time” to reflect on this year.
- What were the lessons you learned about yourself and life in general?
- What do you need to clear in your mind (including those limiting self beliefs)?
- What can you release that is not serving you (including people, roles, habits)?
Be still and listen to what bubbles up for you. ONLY then will you be ready to take the next step of looking ahead to what you want for the New Year. I can tell you from personal experience, this is your MOST important first step to figure out what matters to you and what is your true purpose and passion in your “next chapter” AND your next year!
Wishing all of you a joyous and purpose-filled new year!
For those who are interested in getting started on that reflective and exploratory journey of “What’s Next”, Encore Tampa Bay is partnering with Donna Rippley of the Center for Career Transition to offer a “Reinvention Retreat” on St Pete Beach January 13. For more details download the flyer at our website.
To register for the event click here.