Out with the Old, in with the New!
Out With the Old, in With the New!
Changing Perspectives, Habits and Heroes for a Better 2008
by Julia Escobar
As we ready ourselves to ring in a new year, making a list and checking it twice should be more about learning from the path we've traveled over the past year than the jolly old elf's "naughty or nice" list.
What perspectives, habits and heroes have made their mark on who we are and where we're going? That particular trip can be soothing or scary—depending on the road you've traveled—but either way, an important step in getting 2008 off to a great start. Let's take a look at the past year, toss the old that isn't working, and bring in the new that can make a positive impact on your career and life.
Keep perspective. Too often, our perspective on life, business, relationships and self-worth can become skewed by the forces around us. Have you ever had a day that was going along fine, even putting a spring in your step, and then—wham—you run into the black cloud in your office who wants to expound on the perils of being an entrepreneur, the bleak market decline, the sorry condition of life and what amounts to his or her version of Armageddon?
Even people you are close to, friends you love dearly but somehow find themselves in a never-ending drama who want you to help them sort out, can tap your energy, your productivity and your ability to look at the world with crystal-clear vision. Give yourself a real gift this holiday season by taking an honest look at the people and perspectives in your life.
Set boundaries for the energy-robbers and naysayers. Don't let their experiences cloud yours, and stop tolerating their negative influence. Say no and mean it when you feel their grip on your day.
Put the pains of the past in the past. Life is meant to be a forward journey, so keep moving in that direction. Decide what lessons you can take from old haunts or hurts, and let the rest go. We have no control over what happened before—only over what comes next.
Choose faith over fear. Many people allow fear of the future and the unknown—sometimes even fear of success—to lock them into a holding pattern they are incapable of breaking through. Whatever comes your way, meet it with faith, humor and the knowledge that nothing is permanent. As Og Mandino reminded us in his inspirational Greatest Salesman in the World, "This too shall pass." As human beings, we are allowed to make mistakes, even expected to on occasion. Don't be afraid to step forward and try something new.
Honor your healthy habits. Take a look at your habits over the past 12 months. Which have brought you closer to your goals? Which have hurt more than helped in your quest for health, wealth and peace of mind? Grab a paper and pen, or start tapping on the laptop, and make a list of your personal dos and don'ts to keep handy when you feel yourself straying from the straight and narrow. Take a look at your professional and personal habits, and determine what you can do differently in the year ahead that will bring you more balance and prosperity.
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