What I have learnt in 2017

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.