Did 2009 live up to your expectations? 

Chances are you had very good intentions but did you find that not all you wanted for the year materialized?  Looking back at the year and reassessing, although it may be daunting, is necessary. There may have been some unexpected challenges that fell in your path that were beyond your control. But hopefully you can pick yourself up, brush yourself off and look forward with renewed optimism.

This is not the time to be critical of ourselves but this assessment is just a tool that you can use to create a better future. Look at what has taken you further away and closer to your goals. Be sure to include your successes no matter how small.

 Did you have any goals? 

I’ve learned that we do need goals. Someone said “Life will not go according to plan, if you do not have a plan!”  Your goals should be very specific with steps written out on how you are going to get there and refer to them often. If you really want to go the extra mile you could actually view pictures (with you in them if possible) of the goal you are wanting to achieve. Really look at the picture and imagine the thrill as if you’ve already achieved it. That may sound a little “woo-woo” but stranger things are being proven these days.

Here are 6 questions to ask to help identify your goals:

                 1. What is the specific goal that you want to achieve?

                 2. Why do you want to achieve this goal?

                 3. Where are you currently starting from as it relates to this goal?

                 4. How will you achieve this goal? List each individual action step

                     and deadline.

                 5. Who will be involved in helping you achieve this goal? Identify

                     their specific role.

                 6. When will you achieve this goal? Identify a specific date.

Something that gets between a lot of us and our goals is our limiting self-talk. We may actually be sabotaging our success with negative thoughts about doing or achieving something. If there are any fears or doubts about doing a task to reach a goal you can bet you’re going to hear that little negative voice telling you “You can’t!” and throw a bunch of silly excuses in your way.  Recognize that it’s just your fear talking and you can override it by negating that thought with a positive one. Give yourself some encouragement and even speak it out loud. 

 Even the tiny steps you take to move forward builds over time and will propel you to your dreams.  Be consistent with taking steps forward no matter how small and believe that you will get there.

Another helpful tool is evaluating the “Wheel of Life”. Below is an example. Draw your own and fill up each area depending on your level of satisfaction starting at 1- extremely unsatisfied up to 10- extremely satisfied. You may find that your wheel is a little out of balance and some areas need more attention. It’s also good to re-asses every three months or so.

Let’s be kind to ourselves and know that we can start 2010 stronger, wiser and with more positive determination than ever before.

Also – don’t forget to have The Attitude of Gratitude daily.

I am looking forward to a wonderful 2010, I hope you are too!

  

It’s so easy (especially this time of year during the holidays) to let stress get the better of us. There’s more traffic and more people than ever in a hurry and being rude. This compounded with the stresses of the over-scheduled calendar, under-funded bank account, and gift buying can make anyone a little testy.

Every year when Christmas is coming I say this will be the year that it will all run smoothly and I will get through it feeling calm and peaceful. I am improving slightly if I make a strenuous effort – ha ha, but it is compounded with my sons birthday being 2 weeks before Christmas. (I guess I will always have an excuse.)

If you feel this way, do you know the destructive affect this is having on you and your health? If you give into these negative feelings and stressors you are allowing your body to go into the “fight or flight” mode which served us well thousands of years ago but not so much now (unless you need to react quickly to miss that little old man going 40 miles per hour on the interstate).

During this “stress” mode most of your bodily functions (like digestion and blood flow to the brain to name a few) are severely impaired. You are literally “dumbed down” and I think you know what that can lead to! Being brain power impaired and angry doesn’t mix well. Detrimental adrenaline and other chemicals are dumped into the blood stream and if repeated, over time will wreak havoc on your whole system causing a cascade of serious health issues.

I hope you will take a serious look at yourself and know that you are in control of your feelings, emotions and reactions. Yes, negativity may rear it’s ugly head but recognize it quickly and put it in check.

I am reminded of a new project my son is doing now. He is in a group that must work together to create a story with a “flip”. I hadn’t heard “flip” used in this way before but it is a place in the story when the main character has a change of heart. For example what happens in the story “The Scrooge” to make him change from being a humbug to a happy and giving person is the flip.

Now I am not saying you are a Scrooge, but you probably know where you could make some adjustments. I like to take the attitude of gratitude and I can literally say I have had an attitude adjustment or a “flip”. Life is a gift from God and we should treasure it. I make an effort to think of things everyday that I am grateful for.

When you spend more time in gratitude you will experience a shift. I know of a friend that received a gratitude stone as a gift. She carries it with her and it is a reminder to find everyday things to be grateful for.

We can even live in gratitude by giving. When we can give a gift freely without expecting anything in return we are truly in the attitude of gratitude. At the same time if someone gives you a gift even as small as a compliment, accept it graciously and let them know how much you appreciate it.

There will always be stress in our lives but how we react to it is the true test of who we really are. Stay in the attitude of gratitude to God every day and you will be rewarded greatly.