Best would be “to reflect on all the wonderful things that took place for you during the year, to accept and let go of all the things that didn’t go well as you would have liked, to acknowledge your growth and the changes the past year has brought you, and appreciate who it is you’ve become as a person. This reflection, this going within process, is a part of living success… from the inside out.” I share here the exercise that Jeanne Sharbuno gives us to help reflect on our life and wrap up the year just ending:
2. Acknowledge Your Accomplishment: Make a list of 10 to 20 things you’ve accomplished this year. They can either be big or small things like getting promoted, eliminating debt, cleaning out the garage (finally!), a new job, helping your child, learning something new, taking your dream vacation, giving up a bad habit, starting an exercise routine, etc.
These are your wins and successes for the year. If you need some help to jog you memory, browse through your calendar month by month. Relish the richness of your life as you remember the year. Pat yourself on the back for all you’ve done. Be proud of your accomplishments, your growth, and your changes.
3. Tie Up Loose Ends: Make a list of 10 to 20 things that you’ve left unfinished or that are incomplete. These might be projects, tasks, having that difficult conversation with a co-worker or family member, ending a relationship, updating your resume, hanging on to disappointments that are keeping you from moving forward, etc. Put an asterisk next to the ones you want to complete and a check mark next to those you have no desire or intention of completing.
Next, decide when you’re going to complete the things you really do want to finish. Will it be before the end of the year, or will they be goals for the New Year? Whatever it is, commit fully to making this happen.
Lastly, accept the things you don’t want to complete and give yourself permission to let them go once and for all. Feel the weight come off your shoulders as you accept and let go of this unfinished business. The very act of doing so is your way of completing these things. Congratulate yourself for not carrying this dead weight with you into the New Year.
4. Celebration: Here is the fun part. This is where you honour yourself by doing something special to acknowledge the end of another year in your life’s journey. Go out and do something great to celebrate you’re your success, what you’ve let go of, the new people in your life, the shifts you’ve made, everything and anything that the year has brought for you. You can do this alone or with others. The key is to consciously choose an activity for the sole purpose of celebration. Schedule it into your calendar right away. Make your celebration fun and festive.
As you bring a close to the year, let yourself feel the joy and deep satisfaction for who it is you’ve become as a person. By taking the time to reflect on and complete the year just ending, you are actually creating space for yourself – emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually – to bring wonderful things to you in the New Year. Go ahead and treat yourself this holiday season. Give yourself the gift of “Wrapping Up the Year.” Adopted Source: 52 ways to Live Success - Reader’s Digest
Thomas Dewar