The end of the year can be nostalgic. Out with the old, in with the new, as the saying goes.
This is the time when we will be confronted with the results of our accomplishments or failures in 2022. Some people tend to ignore negative results, blaming others for the failure or making unhelpful excuses for it.
Some of us will focus on regretting not accomplishing more. If you want to have better results next year, now is the time to plan for it.
The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour.
Examine your habits
This is the time when complete honesty is helpful and valued. Take an inventory of the choices that led you to live in this particular moment in time.
Was there anything you could have done differently? Are there some self-destructive habits you need to work on? Do you keep company with people who are prone to procrastination or have a negative attitude toward life?
Highlight your successes
While looking for ways to improve is good, patting ourselves on the back for a job well done is equally important.
Maybe you published an article in your local newspaper or finally got around to organizing your office, or you quit procrastinating about chores you don’t like. No matter how small it may seem, personal successes and accomplishments are worth acknowledging.
Stop criticizing yourself
Maybe you feel you didn’t work hard enough to achieve the goals you set for yourself. Perhaps you invested in a project that failed and you lost the money, and you might feel disappointed in yourself or embarrassed.
Remember, basketball player Michael Jordan and how he failed his way to success.
Sometimes, we treat others kindly but ourselves harshly. It’s perfectly normal to acknowledge our failures as long we learn from them and move on. But constant self-criticizing can damage our self-esteem and lessen our confidence.
Stay away from needing to have everything aligned perfectly. Detach yourself from your fears and believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.
Grow your gratitude
Make a list of everything you are thankful for this year. Call your family and friends and let them know how lucky you feel to have them in your life.
I’d like to acknowledge the Peak for allowing me to share my passion for writing about subjects that might help somebody. Also, a big thank-you to the Powell River community for the constant support.
Don’t forget to lend a hand to the people who struggle in life. Share your abundance of food, clothes or money. The feeling of making somebody’s life a little bit better is rewarding. Practicing gratitude every day is the way to live a life of peace and progress.
“Happiness isn’t about getting what you want all the time. It’s about loving what you have and being grateful for it.” ~ Asher Roth
Let’s celebrate
Even if things didn’t turn out the way you planned, life is still worth celebrating. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Life coach Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company based in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter and becoming more organized. For information, go to solutionsorganizing.com.
