1. I have learnt
that taking the first step towards something that is important to you is often
significantly harder than taking the second, third or even last one. If you can
find the motivation to decide what to focus on and then take just one tiny step
towards making it happen, you might be surprised by how quickly the rest will
follow.
2. I have learnt
that if you wait for everything to be 100% perfect you may never start. Seeking
perfection is a great form of procrastination so find where you’re comfortable
place is – mine is about 50% perfect, for some of my clients its 10% and others
its 80% - and then commit to starting from there.
3. I have learnt
that knowing and understanding what’s really important is something that people
rarely think about. We have objectives, appraisals and stretch targets at work
but are happy to let our lives just happen. What’s so wrong with having dreams,
aspirations and plans for our lives outside work and then writing them down and
focusing our attention on them?
4. I have learnt
that there are 24 hours in a day, which are 168 in a week and 8736 in a year.
How we choose to spend our time is exactly that, a choice. This year I chose to
take a social media hiatus, albeit for only a few weeks, to see what would happen.
I gained a few hours to do other things but I also learnt that I like social
media and that it definitely has a place in my life but I just need to be more
mindful about it.
5. I have learnt
that you get what you focus on. Such a simple sentence. But if you’re focusing
in the wrong place then you’ll always be a little bit disappointed. See point
3.
6. I have learnt
that there is much truth in the saying ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’.
You can have a big goal, loads of motivation and all the resources to make it
happen but if you don’t really, really want to do it, it’ll probably never
happen. One of my most inspiring clients this year really, really wanted to
lose 20kg. And she did, over six months and with four coaching sessions. She
had will in bucket loads.
7. Don’t
underestimate how you’ll feel when you start work on your goals. This year I
wanted to make some of our 11,000 digital photographs a little more tangible.
In the process of making three photo books I went through every emotion while
looking back at the birth of my children, various weddings, time with friends,
holidays, people who have died…Doing the books has made my life so much richer
and now that I’m up to date I’m already excited about starting the 2017 book.
8. I’ve learnt that
we’d all like a bit more confidence – whether that’s to ask for a pay rise,
meet someone special or find a new job. Acknowledging what it is you’d like
more confidence in is an amazing first step (see point 1).
9. I’ve learnt
that the language we use every day can dramatically influence our experience of
life. If you find yourself saying ‘I can’t do that’ try reframing it to ‘I
can’t do that but I can do all these other amazing things.’ And if you don’t
want something then think long and hard about what it is that you do want, and
then go after it.
10. I’ve learnt
that journaling really works. I have a line a day journal that I started in
June and will do for the next five years. I can’t wait to see how life evolves
over this time. I’ve also done daily empowerment diaries both personally and on
twitter using #myyaytoday to keep my focus on the positive things that happen
every day rather than dwelling on what didn’t happen. I’d underestimated the
power of writing things down…
So that’s my list.
What have you
learnt this year that could help you with plans for next?
One final thing
that I’ve done for the first time is fill out the YearCompass booklet. It’s
helped me to put 2017 to bed and get excited about my dreams and plans for
2018. A very handy little tool that I’ve tried and liked and is my festive gift
to you.
