Can you believe it?
We are exactly 6 weeks away from the final day of 2020.
And what a year it’s been.
Not one we are likely to forget in a hurry, that’s for sure.
So much has changed.
We have been separated from friends and family, holidays have been cancelled, our health services have been pushed to their limits, and our freedom has been curtailed more than ever before.
2020 has been a year in which we have been forced to pause, take a breath, and to some degree – get clear about what is important to us.
And so now, more than ever before, it seems fitting that we take some time to reflect and acknowledge what this year has taught us.
Reflection is simply the process of looking back on the year and taking the time to explore the choices you made. A quality judgment can then be made on whether – given the chance, you would choose the same response or not. If not, then you can use the insights/observations to determine strategies on how to respond in a more positive way in the future.
The practice of reflection, though it may seem pointless or boring at first, offers the opportunity to learn from past situations, such as how we responded to the start of quarantine this year, and all the challenges it brought to our lives.
Are you up for it?
Let’s do it now.
I have prepared some questions to get you started. You can sit quietly and just think about your answers or you can write them down.
There is no right or wrong way to do this.
But do try to find some quiet time in the coming weeks to reflect on your 2020.
- How would you describe 2020 in 3 key words?
- What did you enjoy most about slowing down in 2020?
- WHO or WHAT did you miss most of all during the periods of restriction in 2020?
- What is the BEST thing that happened this year?
- What is the most important lesson that you learned this year?
- Can you pinpoint your favourite moment of the year?
- What did learn about yourself during this time?
- What new skills did you learn?
- How are you different now, to the person you were a year ago?
- Based on your answers above, what will you do differently in 2021?
And then of course – the million-dollar question…
What new habits or behaviour can you commit to every single day that will allow you to move forward next year in a way that is more truly aligned to your values. (Because they became more clear to you in 2020 – yes?)
Most people will resist change. They may not be happy about their lives right now, but it feels familiar at least. And most won’t step into the unknown. They need to see the future all mapped out before they are prepared to step into it. But that is not how life works.
And you are not most people.
Please know that whatever it takes for you to create the future you dream of – you have that within you. You have genius, you have goodness, and you have creativity.
But you must take the initiative. You must make the commitment to change. You must take personal responsibility.
Acknowledge all that is within your control.
The choices you make in every moment, the behaviour and habits you adopt, your attitude – these are all within your control.
Then – for the things that are outwith our control, you can choose to respond in a better way.
x Until next time, sending you love x
I would love to get to know you more, connect with me here.
