| Michael Angier is the founder and CIO (Chief Inspiration Officer) of
SuccessNet based in
South Burlington, Vermont USA. He’s a father, husband, writer, speaker,
entrepreneur, coach and student. He's also the creator of The World Class
Business™ Conference. |
In
order to embrace the new, we must release the old. A trapeze artist
cannot swing from one bar to another without letting go. An
important part of preparing for the New Year is to review the past
year--to release it--and to learn from it.
To go where we wish to go and be whom
we wish to be, we need to know where we are and who we are. An
honest self-analysis is always helpful to gain clarity. As we end
the year it seems
particularly fitting to devote some time to reflecting on the year
past.
The following questions should
stimulate your thinking for this process. I hope that you take time
out of your busy schedule this holiday season to ponder where you
are and where you've been. Enter into discussions with people you
care about. Write out your thoughts and feelings. Do some
journaling. Consider writing a letter--an end-of the-year-epistle
to yourself. It could be profound to write it and valuable to read
it in the years ahead.
Reflect upon what you did, how you
felt, what you liked, what you didn't and what you learned. Try to
look at yourself and your experience with as much objectivity as you
can--much like a biographer would.
Here are some suggestions to get you
started in mulling over the past year-perhaps the last decade. Feel
free to add your own.
1. What did I learn? (skills,
knowledge, awareness, etc.)
2. What did I accomplish? A list of
my wins and achievements.
3. What would I have done
differently? Why?
4. What did I complete or release?
What still feels incomplete to me?
5. What were the most significant
events of the year past? List the top three.
6. What did I do right? What do I
feel especially good about? What was my greatest contribution?
7. What were the fun things I did?
What were the not-so-fun?
8. What were my biggest
challenges/roadblocks/difficulties?
9. How am I different this year than
last?
10. For what am I particularly
grateful?
Another Suggestion: Consider listing
all the things in your life of which you'd like to let go--anything
you no longer want. Give thanks for what they've brought you in
terms of learning and usefulness and then burn the list. It's a
symbolic gesture to help you release the old and be open to the new.
The next step is to list what you DO want-experiences, knowledge,
material things, relationships, healings, whatever.
In doing this, you'll be using the
principle of vacuum--releasing what you don't want and embracing
what you do. On New Year's Eve, my wife and I, along with several
friends and close family members will light a bonfire and burn our
lists as well as a few other articles that represent something we no
longer desire in our lives. For example, I plan to burn an old (and
too big) article of clothing to symbolize a less-than impeccable
wardrobe and garments that belong to a heavier person than I am and
will be.
I'm confident that anything you can
do to make this year-end more dramatic in terms of your own personal
and spiritual growth will be valuable.
Make it a great New Year by ending
this one well.
Editor's Note: We're planning a
"101 Best Questions to Ask Yourself at Year-End". If you
submit your suggestion(s), we'll provide the final 101 list to you.
Send your suggestion to 101BQ@SuccessNet.org mailto:101BQ@SuccessNet.org
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