The end of the year is a time not only to wind down but to take stock and reflect on the year that has passed. It provides an opportunity to pause and to ponder on what worked, and what didn’t, to think back to the highlights and the low lights, to review goals set, goals achieved, and goals not met. Use the remaining time left to course correct and to do whatever you can. But most of all use the lessons learned to make the next year a more successful one.
Robin Sharma, author of the 5 AM club says don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life. A new year provides the opportunity to set new goals, to create new visions and actions aligned to achieving that visions. And even though many of us start off the year on the right track with renewed energy and vigor, not even 3 weeks down the line, we lose focus, get distracted, and quickly resort back to our old habits. One of the main reasons this can be attributed to is a lack of truly identifying our WHY, the reason behind why we set out to achieve a certain goal. If you are familiar with Simon Sinek’s golden circle theory, you will understand why he says to start with WHY,
Sometimes we overcomplicate life, and sometimes we set unrealistic or too many goals. If you are one of those people who struggle with achieving goals, then perhaps consider starting with just one goal. When you begin to see the results of your actions and achieve success, it will provide the motivation you require to achieve another.
It is important to set goals for the new year before the year begins. Set aside some time to do this today.
I hosted a webinar a few weeks ago where I shared my festive season budgeting tips and one of the key points, I mentioned to attendees was the importance of acknowledging emotions about how we are feeling right now. Not everyone is in a financial position to celebrate the upcoming holidays the way they would like or the way they deserve. Acknowledge the way you feel and use these feelings to drive your passion and purpose for 2023. Fast forward to the end of next year and visualize how you would like to feel, and what you would like to do or be and use this to identify the actions you need to take to achieve your desired vision. Only you have the power to make your vision a reality and remind yourself that if you want different outcomes, you must take different actions.
I would like to remind you that the past 2 years have been tough for all of us, some more so than others. Practicing self-love and self-care is essential for our survival. Do not be hard on yourself if you have not achieved the goals, you set out to achieve. Celebrate your progress even if you did not achieve success because the bulk of the reward is in the journey you have traveled, the growth you have experienced, and the person you have become.