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“Top 3 Must Dos” Before the New Year
By Sue Brenner, PCC, PMP

What's the best present you could give yourself this December? Sure, you'd like that sparkling diamond ring you saw at the local jeweler or the new iPhone. But put material things aside for a moment. How about devoting one hour to “3 Must Dos” that will bring closure to the year and give you clarity for the New Year? That's one hour to reflect on the past year as you celebrate your successes, face your losses and set your top goal for the New Year. It's a great gift. Grab it! Use these “Top 3 Must Dos” to close out the past year and stand on solid ground in anticipation of the New Year.

Celebrate your success.

A lot happened over the past 12 months. But, you may find as you jump from one project to the next that it's hard to remember your wins along the way. "People are always succeeding," says Certified NLP Practioner Sharon McGraham. "The question is: At what?" When you take action, you get results. That's why it's important to see the through line of the entire year. What small steps led to larger successes?

Before New Year's Eve, jot down all of the wins you've accomplished this year. Focus on one month at a time. Capture big and small things alike from your personal and professional lives. Did you get a promotion this year? Move to a great new home? Did you lend a hand on an important project? Review your success. Then own it. "Take in success," McGraham says. "Experience it. Know what it feels like to be succeeding so that when success comes around again you'll know. Otherwise, what's the point?" Make this year the time when you revel in your success. Use it as a foundation to build upon.
Face your losses.

What didn't go the way you had planned this year? Where did you fail? What setbacks did you experience? Facing your losses will allow you to put them behind you. For example, Ronald, a real estate investor, got hit hard financially when his home sold for below its market value. Instead of losing sleep over it, he faced the situation and has set goals for the New Year to diversify his investments. If you don't acknowledge the "pains" in your life, you will have little room to correct your course. Create solutions to help you grow and prevent the same mistakes the following year.

McGraham explains that failure also offers feedback. "Let it change you," she says. "Pay attention to the feedback you're getting so that you can guide yourself to the next thing. Ask yourself: what did I want to accomplish? Maybe I missed the target. Regroup. Where am I now and what's next? What did I want to have happen? Make it conscious." There's no need to brush mistakes under the rug. Let your setbacks form the goals you want to set for the New Year. Learn from them. That's how you grow.
Set your top goal for the New Year.

If you could accomplish something meaningful in the New Year that would thrill you to no end, what would it be? Just one goal! That's right. Think about what would bring you alive each morning, what would get you engaged and excited about life? Is it to take a family trip to Hawaii? To get that big promotion you've applied for? To simplify your life and work only four days a week? Brainstorm a list of ideas first; then pick your top goal.

Like a rubber band stretched between two fingers, the goal should have the right mix of tension and flexibility. Put enough stretch in your goal to make it enticing yet with a touch of slack to make it doable. Then get specific. Be sure you know what you'll do by when. For example: To take a family trip to Hawaii by June 30, 2008. Post your top goal in a visible area. Now you have something to look forward to!

Tackle these “Top 3 Must Dos” right away--it only takes an hour--or make an appointment with yourself in your calendar by December 31. By celebrating your successes, facing your losses and setting your top goal for the New Year, you are giving yourself a great gift: one of completion and inspiration. Happy New Year! Celebrate!

Read more articles by Sue Brenner or subscribe to her free eZine, Ignite Your Life.

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