New Year, a Fresh Start
New Year’s resolutions are, as we all know, pointless. Less than 4% of people have actually seen it through and accomplished what they said they would.
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.
Having said that, I still feel that when the calendar changes to a new year, it is a good time to reflect. I like to look back on what happened the year before, and what I am grateful for. What I have accomplished, any milestones, and even the things I have let go of, and any people I have lost because they have moved out of my life or have passed on. A year is a sizeable chunk of time so there is usually quite a number of things to write about and remember.
Once you have fully savored the past year, you can move on to the coming year. What will you do differently. What would you like to accomplish. Are there new friendships to nurture and deepen. Do you need to do anything more for your health and fitness. Maybe check in on your financial situation. Have you accumulated any debt that can be paid off this year; do you need to talk to your financial advisor about your portfolio – change it up given the current economic circumstances, or should everything stay the same.
Recently a friend and I were talking about “shoulds.” Are the things that you think you should do the path of least resistance? Sometimes the answer is yes. It is sometimes easier to just give in and do what is expected of you. But the cost can be a big one.
For instance, I was asked to be on a nonprofit board and I thought about saying yes as I have not been on a board for a while, so thought maybe I should. Luckily I talked to a friend who persuaded me that now is not the time. Maybe next year, not now. I don’t know about you, but I tend to get distracted. My schedule is fairly full at the moment with growing my new business, making sure I follow my fitness plan, playing Mah Jongg twice a week and spending time with my partner. If I just went along and said yes because then they would like me, because I should be on at least one board, I should be contributing in this way, then apart from the time I would spend at meetings, there would be work I would need to do as part of the board, plus more time in thinking about their needs and what suggestions, recommendations and input I can give. Doing all of that would mean I would need to take the time from something else – including reducing the number of hours of sleep I get, which would have a negative impact on my health and my contribution to everything I do.
Helen Keller
When you are thinking about this coming year, maybe consider putting aside the material things: number of new clients, amount of revenue and profit, or the promotion you are looking for at work, the travel you would like to do. Instead think about the more spiritual aspects of your life and what you would like to be able to say at the end of the year.
Gratitude is something that has been shown to be an important aspect of a rich and satisfying life. Consider enrolling a group of friends and agreeing to text or email each other a list of 5 or 10 things you are grateful for each day. Where can you add more kindness in your daily life, be more conscious of it. Along with kindness comes caring; for others – and for yourself. When you are not sure what to do, what to say, where to go, try turning more to your heart rather than just your head. Generosity, giving of yourself even when it is inconvenient. Deepening friendships which so enrich our lives. Being silent instead of giving your opinion, especially when it has not been asked for.
I invite you to take some quiet time and consider the abundance in your life, and the difference you can make this coming year – just by being you. All the you that you can be.
When you are ready to tackle questions like when and where to retire, there are ways we can help. We have Feisty & Fearless Over Fifty Circles and Personal, one-on-one coaching.
With membership in Feisty & Fearless Over Fifty Circles, and with Personal Coaching you will
Identify just what you want your retirement to look like
Relief from the uncertainty of retirement
Effective tools and information to move forward
Questions that may seem intense, and will bring forth transformative answers
Tasks to take on between each session to help you achieve the results you are looking for
Build a life of joy, fulfillment and satisfaction
A roadmap for Living the Good Life
If you would like to find out more and set up a free, initial call, send me an email at pfield@coach4women.com
