Today is January 2, 2009. Yeah! A fresh start for us all. I had the opportunity to hear John Maxwell speak several years ago. I have always loved his leadership books and was excited to hear him speak in person. As with his written works, his leadership talk was simple and profound at the same time. He is on my list on heroes. He is such a prolific writer and for me, he demystifies the art of leadership. Back to my point about January 2, 2009. John Maxwell said that he takes a week off to reflect and prepare for the new year. I think this is a fantastic idea. I haven’t made it for an entire week yet, but I do take time each year to reflect on the past year and to think about my priorities for the coming year.
I love that a new year brings a fresh start. Actually, I love that each day brings a fresh start. To be most accurate, each moment brings a new opportunity to create what we want. I think it is all about what we do with that new moment, new day or in this case, new year.
I know there is a lot of talk of resolutions and if they are helpful or not. Unfortunately, many of us feel that our resolutions end up in the dust bin of life on January 3rd. Yet, there is something magical about stepping back and answering the question: “What do I want to be different in this new year?” Often we focus on letting go of things like smoking, excess weight and other things we associate with a “bad habit” of some type. However, we can also reach for our dreams in the new year. Do you want to be a pilot, an artist, make new friends, go to school, switch professions? The world is open to us, if only we are open to ourselves, to the inner voice that whispers of our desires.
Too often in our professional life, we have followed the beat of someone else’s drum. Our path of school, job search and career positions are so often related to what others thought would be good for us or what we thought would be secure. We often find ourselves doing what we think we have to do, rather than what we dream of doing. Yet, it is not true. We can do whatever we want to do. Does this mean we should all stop what we are doing today with no thought of security? Probably not, unless your parents don’t mind you moving home at any age and you are comfortable being there. No, it is the plan that can lead to our liberation from an unfulfilled life. First the dream and then the plan. So, for 2009, let’s dream together. Let’s plan together and let’s go for it! I think one of the best sayings of all time is: “If not now, when?” If not this year, what year? So for 2009, these are my recommendations for a GREAT year. Let’s do it together!
1. Take time to reflect on the coming year. What do you want for yourself, personally and professionally? DREAM BIG!
2. Develop a plan for 2009 to reach that mountain top (aka BIG DREAM). Include the small stuff in your plan too — it’s about anything you want to transform in your life. It can be super small or super big. It’s all important.
3. Take time to SHOW UP in 2009. Showing up involves being physcially, emotionally, mentally and soulfully there for yourself and others. To borrow from the Army, it is about “being all you can be”. This involves something different for all of us. For me it is about making the time to meditate, go to yoga, swim, study inspirational things, study new things, write, spend time with my family and my dogs, cultivate personal and professional friendships and eating lots of living foods. Each of us has our own formula for “being all we can be.” This becomes the foundation of everything else. If we can’t show up, we can’t climb the mountain.
4. Find your support team and avoid the dream crushers. Find people in your life (both people that you know today and new people) that inspire you, support you and are going for their own dreams. Hang out with them, lots. Avoid the dream crushers — don’t share your dreams with people full of fear. Although, they mean well, they will only slow you down or stop you all together on your climb up the mountain. If someone starts to tell you all the reasons that something won’t work or isn’t possible, watch out. Does this mean that you should never consider counsel that doesn’t agree with your ideas? No, having expert counsel and advisors is important. What we are talking about here is protecting your dreams from fear — both your own and that of others.
5. Keep the dream alive. This is the most important step. Find a way — somehow — against all the odds, to keep your dream and your plan alive. Do something everyday that reminds you of what you REALLY want for this year and how you plan to get it. Revise you plan daily to reflect real life, but keep it going. Take time each day, each week, each month to look at where you are and where you want to be. Just keep going…you’ll get there!
Well the world is waiting for us. Let’s go for it! Have a GREAT 2009!
