While I was pondering what the topic of my December blog should be, and thinking about what tools I use at the end of the year to look back, evaluate, and plan for next year, I realized that it is time to reflect. So, I would like to reiterate what you may have already read because it is so important. I talk a lot about looking back, learning from the past, and using the information we have gathered to plan for success.
One of my goals for 2022 based on reflection of 2021 was to launch an inspirational shop on my website to help folks find visuals that worked for them. We are still creating new products and adding to the store, but we are just about there and as I reflect I feel like this goal has been met! My message of reflection still holds strong for me and I encourage you to share it with others.
My focus for this month is reflection - it’s the time of the year to review progress and take a look at things from all perspectives.
It's so important not to forget what the season represents to us from our business and personal prospects, and yes, they are intertwined! Take the time to think about and examine what has occurred over the past 12 months, it is also important to allow your team time to reflect and review progress as a whole. Not just challenges, but also successes!
The holidays are a wonderful, joyous time of year yet they are challenging more than ever. Why is this month such a challenge for some people? Well, we are living in an unexpectedly blended world; working from home, distance learning, virtual meetings and family functions, political issues…etc. All of these new challenges have been added to some of the things we had already dealt with and put up on the shelf. We might have things packed away, but then you’ll hear some song or something that triggers a memory, and BAM… things come tumbling off the shelf!
In my book, The 110 Philosophy, on pages 57 & 56, I talk about a shelving exercise and about how just because you’ve put something on the shelf, doesn’t mean it is gone. You are in control because you put it up there… When the box falls off, what do you do? Breathe, collect, recognize, and deal with it… manage however it works. For me, I like to talk things out with my husband or my mentor. I communicate my feelings regarding what’s going on in a safe, judgment-free environment, then put it back on the shelf and move on. The goal is to recognize the important pieces of each stage, but not get stuck in one place for too long. Don’t let it drag you down. Don’t get stuck. I’ve been doing this for a long time. It took me years to recover from the Christmas my parents got divorced. They told me the day after, so this time of the year became very hard for me. After some self-navigation and healthy shelving exercises, I now love Christmas, it’s the best time of year!
One of the successes my team and I have been reflecting on is our pay-it-forward turtle initiative which we started last year. The 110 Philosophy team has been giving away toy turtles to people we notice who are doing something nice for others. It is a great reminder that the more you give of yourself, the more you receive, and giving doesn’t mean you have to give away something physical, you can give inspiration to others! This year, my personal goal has been to give away a coat each week to someone who needs it. More than just this month - we need to be thinking this way every moment, every day, every month. Bring this same type of mentality - always paying it forward - into the new year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!