this was an awesome year (you have the evidence)
Well, we’re here: it’s December, the last month of the year, and of the decade, and there are are going to be a ton of posts all over the internet encouraging you to plan for the next year — or decade — by dreaming big.
(I ain’t gonna lie, I’ll probably be the author of one of those posts.)
But before you can start planning for an amazing year ahead, I always think it’s really important to celebrate all the great stuff of the year past. Because honestly, what’s the point of planning wondrous things if you’re not going to celebrate them once you’re done?
It might seem strange to say that you should celebrate the good, particularly if the past year has been riddled with pain, or disappointment. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years is that despite all of the painful and challenging times we face, every year – including 2019 – there are moments of joy and happiness, even if only fleeting. I venture to guess that there have been moments in the past 11 months when friends or family have come to your aid without a second thought, or someone made you unexpectedly laugh right out loud, as hard as you’ve ever laughed, or you look around you and the view is beautiful, or sunset is inexplicably golden, or you just felt a sharp pang of love for someone who means the world to you. There was good that happened.
So I’ll invite you to take a moment before the end of the year, perhaps with your journal and your favourite morning beverage, and sit down to write all the really good things that happened to you this year. To help jog your memory, pull up your calendar and note birthdays that happened, or dinners out with friends, or special events that were celebrated. Even better: grab your cell phone, and go through your photo archives. Just make a list.
(Incidentally, I’ve actually been repeating this refrain with my coaching clients, as well. Because I’ve found that for most of us, particularly if we’re ambitious or hard-working, it’s rare to stop and see how far we’ve come — especially because we’re constantly focused on the milestone ahead.)
G’head: compile the evidence that shows how good 2019 was for you. I bet it was an amazing year — even better than you realize.
Soundtrack: Shining Star as performed by Earth Wind & Fire
In other news, I wanted to share two things with you:
First, if you’d like more journaling prompts like the one above, particularly as you’re navigating December, I’ve just begun a journaling/meditation exercise on Instagram, where I’ll be sharing journaling prompts/meditations/food for thought for the next few weeks. If you’d like to play along publicly, simply tag your posts #decemberlight. But this is the sort of exercise where you can do it publicly, privately, or just hop in and out as you feel like it. Whatever helps add moments of calm and introspection to your day.
Secondly, in case you’ve been thinking about working with me one-on-one for leadership coaching (or would like to buy a package for a loved one who has big dreams for changing the world, but isn’t sure how to execute them): through January 15th, if you or your friend book their first complimentary coaching session with me and we decided to work together, I’ll give you 15% off of a 6-session package, and 20% off a 12-session package. (If you want to give this as a gift, they need only mention that they received the gift when we book their session.) You can learn more about my coaching packages/philosophy here.
Happy December everyone.
It’s all about rhythm.