Enter 2012 & Exit 2011!
New beginnings are always exciting. We look forward to the “New Year” with new hopes, aspirations and excitement. Perfect!
But have you taken a little bit of time to look back at 2011?!
Don’t get me wrong, I also firmly believe in ‘leaving the past behind’, ‘looking ahead to the future’, ‘past is past & present is a gift’ and all that kind of stuff. But it is important for us to look back. Looking back need not always be a negative thing!
Some of the things we could do looking back are:
1. Take a bit of time to thank God for His protection, provision and presence with you, your work and your family in 2011.
2. Think about all the people who helped you professionally in the year 2011. Your clients, partners, vendors, co-workers, staff, friends and people in your sphere of influence. Thank God for them. If possible write a quick email, send a short text message or send them a tweet thanking them in a few words. This will go a long way in not only improving the relationship but also pave way for the fruitfulness of future interactions.
3. Think about your greatest achievement in 2011 and think about how you were able to achieve them. Make note of the areas that may need improvement – both mentally, personally and professionally.
4. Analyse your health situation in 2011. Make plans for a better health with exercise, diet, etc., in 2012. Set targets to achieve better health in the coming year (not just resolutions, realistic targets!). After all, our body is an important tool to take us where we want to go.
5. Think of all the books you read. Make a list of books you may want to read in 2012. The bible says, ‘As a man thinks so is he’. And books influence our thoughts. So make sure you read in 2012 and make sure you read good stuff!
6. Think of all the sacrifices made by your family members in 2011 for your work and you. Appreciate them. Go and say, ‘thanks’. It is important. Try and make a decision to increase the time spent with the family atleast by 1 or 2 weeks this year. Time to take out your vacation planner for 2012!
7. Finally, think of all the things that went ‘Wrong’ in 2011. All the mistakes, failures, losses and wrong steps. They are valuable. Write each one down and see what they have taught you. Remember those lessons. Again, thank God for protecting you & your family during these worst times.
This is a good way to begin the new year. It will give you clarity, put you in the right frame of mind and the three most important parts of your life will be taken care of – God, Family & your mental makeup – as you enter a new year.
Now that you have done all of this with your ‘Thinking Hat’, you can put on your ‘Party Hat’ and go have fun! Happy Christmas and have an awesome New Year celebrations!!
See you in 2012!
