Taking Stock

By Janet Christensen

Once again we celebrate a new year, and many of us will take some time to reflect on where we are now and what we would like to achieve in the next year and beyond. We push on to our next steps, looking for bigger and better things of and for ourselves. It is important to look ahead, to chart our paths and to develop and grow our talents and abilities. However, in our enthusiasm and drive to move forward we can forget that it is just as important to take time to celebrate, to renew and refresh, and to be kind to ourselves.

As you embark on a new year, I invite you to take some quiet time for yourself and do the following:

Make a list of 25 accomplishments you had in the last year.

Many people react to this suggestion by saying “I'll never be able to list 25 accomplishments!” These do not need to be earth shattering achievements or events; they just need to be meaningful to you. Look at different areas of your life – home, work, health and fitness, financial, recreation, relationships, and spiritual. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Did you buy a new home, redecorate, reorganize, or remove clutter at home?
  
  
• What achievements did you have at work? Did you start a new job? Did you leave a job you disliked? Did you change careers? Did you take courses or undertake other professional development?
  
  
• How did you look after yourself in 2004? Did you do anything to improve your health and fitness?
  
  
• How did you improve your financial situation? Did you improve your income level, pay off some debt, change your spending habits, or start a savings plan?
  
  
• Did you take a trip, take up a new sport or other activity, take time to be in nature, take time for fun? How did you take time to re-energize and refresh yourself?
  
  
• Did you develop any new relationships? Did you improve any existing relationships? Did you let go of any relationships that were not working for you? Did you do anything to improve your relationship with yourself, such as meditation, taking quiet time, pampering yourself?
  
  
• How did you deepen your spirituality? In what ways did you make contributions – by volunteering, charitable donations, participating in special projects, sharing your expertise and talents?

This is an opportunity to take stock, appreciate what you have accomplished and give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. If you find that you list 25 accomplishments and more come to mind, add them to the list.

Your list will become a source for celebration. It can also be a useful tool for looking at and assessing what is working in your life and highlighting areas on which you want to work in the coming year. Did any of the above questions help you realize that there is something to which you are not paying attention? This is not an invitation to beat up on yourself by focusing on what you perceive to be your shortcomings. Rather, it is an opportunity to prioritize and plan at least some of what you want to have on your list of 25 accomplishments for 2005. Write down the most important two or three things on which you will focus in the coming months. Then focus on the steps and activities you need to take and the outcome will look after itself.

As your 2005 unfolds, make sure to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way. Instead of waiting to list your achievements at the end of the year, list them throughout the year – that way you will be less likely to forget them. Most importantly, remember to take time to renew and refresh, and have fun.

Balance is knowing when to use our strengths and when to take time to renew them.

Janet Christensen passionately inspires potential as a professional speaker, Passion Map facilitator and writer. She can be reached through her company Unlimiting Potential at (519) 434-5397 or toll free 1-888-779-3061 fax (519) 434-8344 email info@janetchristensen.com Web site www.janetchristensen.com. Published in Networking Today, January 2005.