Do you want to end 2009 on a high?

What have been your highs and lows? – For those of you who read the January 2009 edition of Inspire you might remember that the theme was: How do you want to be in 2009? This was about managing your mood and state of mind in order to achieve the goals you set for yourself and to rise to any challenges you might face. So when you review this year, focus on how you have been, as well as what you have done or achieved.

I often find it useful to list my highs and lows as I progress through the year. Here are some examples from 2009 in no particular order:

Highs:

• An amazing trip to New Zealand, launching my book there, and it being well received
• Getting into cycling and doing it very regularly
• Many fun times with my nephews, my family and friends
• Practising what I preach and turning to positive supports when the going got tough
• Gaining a number of new clients
• Some great feedback from clients
• Staying positive even when some contracts were cancelled due to budget cuts
• Doubling my turnover
• Seeing two school friends whom I had not seen for years
• Staying positive in quieter times at work and using the time in a positive way to improve my business and what I do
• Seeing how, when I manage my thoughts and mood to stay positive, it was reflected back in my environment, including new clients suddenly appearing
• Being with my mum and family, celebrating her 75th birthday
• Three new babies in the family – oops, nearly forgot them!!

Lows:

• Two aunts diagnosed with cancer – but the positive side is they have come through their treatment and are doing really well
• Having some contracts cancelled due to budget cuts
• Still not losing weight
• My accountant congratulating me on doubling my turnover and how big the next tax bill would be, just when work had gone very quiet!!!

What are your highs, what are you most proud of this year? What have been your lows? 

Are you enjoying the journey? – one of my determinations at the beginning of this year was to really enjoy the year ahead no matter what. It is so easy to focus on your goals, what is or is not happening and forget to enjoy now. For optimistic personality types this is easy to do.  For others (me included) it takes more effort. However, what I have found over the years is the fact that the more I practice the easier it becomes. So how can you make sure you enjoy the journey? Think about doing some of the following things: 

• Really savour life - We can be so busy rushing around, or caught up with our own thoughts and feelings that we forget to savour things. Did you notice how amazing the leaves were this autumn? Savour what you eat, the smells and tastes. Savour music, the sound of children laughing or the sounds of nature. By doing this it helps you to be anchored in the here and now, not the past or future.
• Practise ‘half glass full’ thinking - Focus on what you do have as opposed to what you don’t have in your life, as well as focusing on what you do and the successes you have as opposed to what you have still not done or mistakes you have made.
• List out your highs and lows each month – I am always amazed that even in a very difficult month there are more highs than lows.
• Spend time with positive, supportive people – Are the people around you helping you to enjoy the journey?  I was coaching a client this morning who has a very challenging job but she is loving it, and she is surrounded by constructive, supportive people who all pull together especially during a crisis.
• Do things you enjoy – I know this might sound obvious, but so many adults get caught up in the serious stuff of life: working, running a family home, dealing with sick relatives, that they forget to stop and have fun, and do the things that they enjoy.
• Spend some time having fun with children – I’ve really enjoyed the time I have spent with my nephews throughout the year. I find when I am with them it is hard to be thinking of anything else, you have to be in the here and now.
• Notice nature or beautiful things – I was in London with my eldest nephew Sam and it was a beautiful autumn day. Down by the Thames, London looked stunning – the old and the new buildings, the sky, the autumn leaves. Stop and notice the beauty around you. 

What have you particularly enjoyed in 2009? Have there been any unexpected joys this year?

‘To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.’ Ralph Waldo Emerson

What have you learned this year? What can you take into 2010? – If we want to build on each year to become happier, more content, to stay motivated and to create more value within our lives, then it is helpful to reflect on what you have learned and how you can take and use that in the coming year. Your learning might come from experiences, mistakes, failures or successes. It is also the end of a decade – so you might even want to reflect back over the last ten years – wow, just thinking about that is blowing my mind!!

Whatever timescale you are going to reflect on, list out ten lessons learned. Remember to cover all aspects of your life:

Your family life

• Your friendships
• Your work (paid or unpaid)
• Your health – physical, emotional, mental, spiritual
• Your strengths and your weaknesses
• How you have risen to challenges
• How you have learned from mistakes
• How you have spent your leisure time
• What else would you include that is important to you?

Are there any learnings to pass onto others? What can you learn from others’ experiences or their attitude to life?

‘Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.’ Lao Tzu

Do you need support in reviewing 2009 in a constructive way or planning 2010? Call me on 01865 377334 or email me by clicking here to discuss this further. For more information about Grovelands visit our website by clicking here.