Where has the year 2007 gone? In just about 11 days we will be celebrating the year 2008! This is a ideal time for reflection of 2007 and taking a personal inventory. Before going into 2008, it is important to take time to acknowledge the accomplishments and the lessons learned in 2007, and create a new vision for ourselves for the New Year. All too often we spend time saying "Here goes another year and I didn't meet my goal/s, I should have done this or that." We questioned what is wrong with ourselves because we never do or finish what we said we were going to do for the year. Than we quickly feel like a failure. I say "give yourself permission to look all that you have done instead of what you haven't done."
I live by these words: Look at what I have accomplished! I am a Martha Beck trained and certified Life Coach personally selected by her. Martha Beck is the Life Coach to the Oprah show, contributer to the O magazine and New York Times Best Selling Author. I dreamed of being able to say those words about myself since the 2004. At that time, a neighbor told me I must train with Martha Beck, as she gave me her book Finding Your Own North Star. She said,"Karen" this is you - a Life Coach! As interesting as it seemed, and that I did connect to the truth in her statement. Actually, I dreamed of it all the time, and had a knowing it was going to happen, know matter what, it was my destiny.
The process of obtaining my goal wasn't that simple. There was a few details about applying for the intense program, the cost , the time of the training,having to take time off from my work to attend the training, the pre work and certification process. Being a working single parent. Hummm..... I thought how can I make this happen? Who is going to watch my child, where is the money gonna come from, how will I find the time to study?
On and on my mind was creating roadblocks. But, in one moment I STOPPED and took a personal inventory. I shut down the negative talk in my head, stopped looking at what wasn't happening in my life to get me to my goal, and stopped thinking about all the obstacles. And, I just STOPPED! Instead, I chose to focus on all that was present in me and my life. My desire to be a certified Life Coach was so strong I intuitively know I had to rid myself of my own "stinkin thinkin". I have always been a positive person but, the negative talk I created in my head was at a unconscious level. And, it certainly wasn't going to help me. I knew my thoughts needed to shift to serve me and get my on course with my goal.
I did apply, get accepted and obtain my certification. How did it happen you ask? No, I didn't win the lottery or hire a nanny. I decided to become AWARE of my thoughts. And, start looking at what I had created, learned and done in my life. That's it! I had to work hard at keeping my thoughts on this new pattern of thinking. I had no idea how the minor details were going to work themselves out. I just knew I had a choice to make. If it was going to happen. I needed to BELIEVE it would and toss the self destructive thoughts quickly out the window.
Sure enough, everything I needed showed up in my life and I did it! No, it was not a piece a cake, but I stayed true to my new way of thinking. And, than all the resources appeared in my life. Off I was flying to Scottsdale for the Martha Beck training! Wow hoo!
So, in this season of reflection, here are some helpful tips on taking your own New Year Inventory. These have proved successful as I have worked with my clients. First, start to change your thoughts today. Instead, of looking at what you didn't get done, look at what you did get done. Perhaps, you have accomplished a lot over 2007. It would be great to focus your energy on areas of success and take the focus off what you haven't done. What lessons have you learned? View life with a new perspective. Start a personal inventory. Here is a list that many of my clients have used to complete a personal inventory.
Spend some time refreshing your memory of 2007. Gather together your journal, calendars, appointment books and photo's. Now grab a journal or notebook. Ask yourself and answer these questions: What do you feel most proud of? It can be as simple as giving up a cup of coffee per day to running a marathon. What actions have you done to increase your well being mental/physical? What was your happiest times/memories? What was your greatest challenge? What did you learn as a result of this challenge? How did you take a negative and turn it to a positive? What is something you have been avoiding that could make your life would be better?
Now use this information to improve the quality of your life. Here's how: Choose one or two of your success and continue to grow on it for 2008. (For example: you eliminated debt for 2007 and now you will create savings for 2008.) Choose a mistake, a negative thought or action that didn't serve you in 2007 and get support to remove the obstacle. (For example: Obtain guidance in completing your updated resume to finally move on from a dead end job.) Write a affirmation that you believe in you and all the possibilities of 2008. Write the names of people who are your fans, who love and support you. And, lastly tell yourself YOU WILL!
Ask a friend to join you in this activity and create support for 2008. Enjoy this activity and have fun. You will be so glad you did!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email at Karen@awakenyourpurpose.com
Much Joy!
Karen Fagan