“Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy life .” — Teri Garr
We’ve come to the part of the year where the Christmas carols are starting to play and we’re gasping, “Can you believe how fast the year’s flown?!” As you face the last stretch of the year, perhaps a part of you is already exhausted and OVAH IT. With just three months to go before we welcome 2020, we’ve got some ideas how we can find that second wind and sprint the last 86 days to the finishing line.
1. Revisit your objectives
Maybe the year hasn’t panned out at all like you planned. Maybe you didn’t have expectations for 2019 to begin with. However your year has been, now’s a good time as any to work out what’s working for you and what’s not. What sparks your passion? Anything leeching your mojo? Can changes be made? Realigning your activities with where you want and need to be helps you focus and remember what Life is all about. Purpose is a huge motivator to doing well.
2. Celebrate how far you’ve come
You’ve survived three quarters of 2019 — congratulations! Now list the good, the bad, the ugly, and celebrate them all — or at least take the time to acknowledge their marks on your life. Often, we can get so caught up in the routine, the manic rush from week to week, that we don’t notice our growth and change. List them. Be kind to yourself. And take the time to recognise and reward your effort. Be your own caring boss.
3. Set yourself up to succeed
The secret with lofty goals is giving yourself close-enough stepping stones to get there. Set yourself small, manageable tasks that collectively move you towards your goal. It could be a booking for a class. The first paragraph of a delicate email you dread drafting. The tax form you need to start. List your efforts, no matter how small, and get that little endorphin rush when you strike each one off with a red pen. If you’re really game, chart your course until you ring in 2020. That celebratory champagne is sure going to taste sweeter then.
