We always think about the year ahead`and make a list of things we’d like to do and change in the New Year. Fitness goals, financial goals and in reality how many of us can remember the ones we set ourselves for this year?
But like with any new plan in business you have to review the last year and yet we are usually very hard on ourselves and fail to do this for ourselves. We grow every year and we are so focused on the new year’s resolutions we forget to reflect on the current one.
So I’ve been thinking about my year a lot recently and made a list of the lessons 2019 has taught me about life.
- It’s okay if people don’t like or understand you and your decisions. I’ve always trusted my gut and realised that it doesn’t need an explanation or justification to anyone but myself.
- Don’t take criticisms and gossip personally. People who gossip have small minds and it says a lot more about them and their lives than it does about you. People view life from their own perspecitve and if they can’t show compassion it just means that their minds are not open.
- Work hard to keep your life in balance. I was told to think about my brain in terms of my twins….one side is creative and one side is practical and I need to give both of them food to grow and time to develop. I spend a lot of time feeding the creative side, thinking of ideas, plans etc but if I don’t feed the practical side in equal measure all that thinking is a waste of time because it results in nothing.
- Forgiveness and happiness are a choice. It’s how you view your life but if you have people you love, a roof over your head and your health you have a lot more than many. You don’t have to have life completely figured out, most people don’t but you can be happy with what you have here and now – that’s your choice. Rejection isn’t personal and happiness from within is the best kind.
- How you start the day will determine your success. Make you bed as soon as you get up…I’ve posted the video below but what struck me was if I get out of bed with the intention of a plan and getting things done and start early I will have a productive day. If not the jobs drift, I’ll end up taking the kids out for lunch or dinner because I can’t be bothered to cook and it just turns into an unproductive day. And to make progress all you have to do is a little bit each day.
- There is a saying about new things happening that you are looking at the door closing you miss the new doors opening but I was always the opposite. I closed the door so quickly and moved on that I never reflected on the past. It’s important to do both. Look back and learn and look forward for a new opportunity. I’ve got Lúnasa in a different form and I’m delighted it goes on to fight another day.
- Find a spot, be it your best friends house or the beach where you can go to sooth your soul and regroup. Life will throw you curve balls and when you have little people that depend on you it’s impossible to hide under the duvet but you need to be able to recharge, clear your mind and pull yourself together for the next round.
I’ve learnt a lot that I need to remember but it’s important to celebrate success. So sticking with the theme of seven I decided to make a list of things I’m proud of this year.
- I started a new business (Usborne Books)
- I decided to try harder when many people would have walked away
- I made a tough decision to close my shop for my kids
- I reopened it for me
- I was in nine different countries
- I dropped a dress size
- I saved some money
And finally I did a list of the things I have learnt about me that I want to keep reminding myself …
- I’m very resilient
- I’m a good mum
- I am adventurous
- I am genuine
- I have a light that shines and even though it may be duller it’s still shining
- I can embrace and adapt to change (however it comes) and it helps me grow
- I’m a retailer and a marketing consultant and I really know my stuff
So it’s time to be good to ourselves, to take stock and celebrate our achievements and what we accomplished this year. I’ve found it good to do this exercise, try it you might surprise yourself.