The Greatest Gift You Can Give Is To Yourself
As we finish strong in 2011, and prepare for a bigger and brighter 2012, it is for most people a time of reflection on the year that has passed.
Whilst this can be a great strategy to prepare for what lies ahead, for some it can be a time of unresourceful comparison and self-assessment.
“What have I achieved this year?”
“Have I made any progress on my goals or am I in the same or a worse position than this time last year?”
The answers to these questions can either inspire us to move forward or be an anchor that holds us back in the story of the past.
Successes AND Mistakes Can Be The Greatest Teachers
The meaning we put on successes and mistakes of 2011 is the key to extracting every last bit of benefit from the year we are about to end.
When we choose to draw a line in the sand on 2011, we all need to reflect on experiences in a way that delivers us the lessons we take forward into our 2012 journey. We cannot change the past however we can benefit from what it has taught us. It is our choice whether we use it as the fuel for our engine or the anchor that holds us back.
Ask yourself these questions:
“What has this year taught me?”
“How can I use what I have learned to ensure 2012 is the year I want it to be?”
This year for me personally has been filled with highs and lows. As I am the only one responsible for my success, I have chosen to focus on the good and learn from the bad. What about you?
At Christmas time, many people give gifts and get together to celebrate according to their beliefs. Can I encourage you that the greatest gift you could give this year is one you give to yourself!
Cut yourself some slack, learn from the past and let it go. Forgive those who have wronged you, most importantly yourself. Refocus on what is truly important to you and Relaunch into the new year with a renewed vigor to achieve a new set of dreams (or re-ignite some old ones you had given up on). That’s what I am going to do.
One of the biggest learning’s for me this year has been to “take my own medicine”. It is one thing to be able to teach others what needs to be done…first I need to be doing it all myself. Losing my mum and father in law in the second half of this year knocked me around a bit and I realized I was more “human” than others might think I am. I dropped the ball on my health and vitality and missed opportunities that came my way because I started playing a small game. Thankfully I have mentors in my life that I have empowered to pull me aside and politely encourage me so to speak. Now I have refocused on the things I have in my life and not the things I don’t. I have realized that whilst I am in a role where I am helping others I cannot do that unless self is taken care of. All my “mistakes” “experiences” “losses” and “frustrations” have all taught me these lessons. All I had to do was choose to look for them.
Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your life in 2011, I really look forward to an amazing 2012…my best year ever (Not just because I am turning 50)
Have an outrageously fun holiday season, stay safe and get ready to roll up your sleeves with a new energy in the new year…YOU deserve it!
Cheers Grant
P.S If you want to watch a copy of an online workshop I ran in the last couple of weeks that will take you through the process and give you the how to, click on the link below.
P.P.S If this message has helped you in any way, I would love you to share it with your friends and leave me a comment below…I value your thoughts.
