{reflecting on 2007}

In the throws of the holiday season madness, it is hard to carve out time for yourself. However, I am going to sneak away to a coffee shop with a notebook and take a few minutes to write down my own answers to the questions below from Trish Thomas at Akamai Consulting. Trish has posted some great questions to think about as 2007 ends and how to plan and make adjustments for 2008.

Another way I am going to stay sane is going to core power yoga. I am addicted to them and they have classes all through the holidays! Try it out. New students get a free week of unlimited classes.

From Trish:
The end of the year is a time when we naturally reflect on the past and plan for the future. Take some time in the upcoming weeks to think about where you have been and where you are going. By living an examined life and focusing consciously on your personal and professional goals, you can prevent missteps, capitalize on opportunities and overcome obstacles.

1. What are you grateful for? Gratitude is such a powerful emotion and it opens the doors to good things in life. Whether 2007 was a fantastic year or not, we all have a multitude of things to be thankful for. Ponder them and appreciate the positive people, things and events in your life.

2. What were the most significant events of 2007? Significant events can be wonderful or horrible, but we always learn from them - don't we? Think about the three turning points or epiphanies you experienced in 2007 and what you need to take away from those powerful events to become a better person.

3. What did you accomplish? Celebrate the joy of accomplishment! Pat yourself on the back and recognize the things you did right during the year.

4. What did you learn? As we walk through life, we are constantly being conditioned by our environment, our family, our friends, our job, etc... The end of the year is a great time to look back on learning experiences and make sure that you integrate new knowledge and skills into your everyday world.

5. What did you complete or release? Hopefully we are always growing and evolving - leaving old things behind and transforming into something fresh and new. Acknowledge the things you've completed during the year and rejoice in the negative areas of your life that have been released.

6. What still feels incomplete? It's important not to abandon everything when a new year begins, so remind yourself of unfinished business and make sure your goals for 2008 build on incomplete issues from 2007.

7. What were your biggest challenges, roadblocks or difficulties? We never enjoy looking back at difficulties, but, alas, that is often the only way to avoid repeating them. Ponder the challenges and failures of 2007 - and do your best to set yourself up for success in 2008.

8. How are you different this year than last? Every year we should see changes in ourselves. Think about the metamorphoses you have gone through. Keep the good changes and throw out the bad. Go into the New Year reading to live your best life and take on the world!