Winter the Time for Reflection and Plotting

As the year winds down and decorations are hung, it is time to recap the past year and determine what are important priorities for the new year. Ya, ya, that's what everyone says they are going to do but what if? What if you can let go of your past year's forgetfulness and just write down your previous years accomplishments.

Take 20 minutes, maybe calendar in hand, and see if you can come up with things that you wanted to get done or start on this last year that you actually made steps forward in completing. Now it may have been I wanted to exercise everyday which turned out to be I exercised twice a week through most of February and by March it went back to wishful thinking. But you moved forward on your original goal. Maybe this year say: I want to work out twice a week (since you were able to keep it up for over a month so it seems more realistic for you to accomplish).

Then for the new year coming up list all the big things you want to get done: write a novel, lose 50 pounds, or pay off my credit card. Write as long a list as you have big things to get done take 10 minutes. Then pick 3 big dreams and break them down into smaller goals that can be accomplished in a few months. Then make a list of what you need to do to get those smaller goals done. It sounds tedious but this list holds yourself accountable to pursue your dreams.

As a great friend of mine who just turned sixty has discovered a new mantra for her life, "If not now, when...exactly??!!" It took her 60 years to find it. Here's hoping that it won't take you so long to find that mantra.