Tough (Question) Tuesday: What action do you need to take right now to move your life forward into 2009?
It’s December, people. Freakin’ A. That means we’re just days away from New Years Eve, and the resolutions that everyone is itching to make (or avoid).
Think back on the year – your regrets, your goals, your accomplishments. Then look ahead, but only in a general sense. What does 2009 feel like? Where does 2009 take place for you? Then ask yourself:
What action do you need to take right now to move your life forward into 2009?
As usual, I’ll post my answer in the comments section. I hope that you do the same!
To see the other installments of Tough (Question) Tuesday go here.
Tags: Tough (Question) Tuesday
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:07 am
In order to move my life forward, I need to get serious & stay committed. I need to keep challenging myself to release my bad habits (perfectionism, procrastination, making everyone happy) & embrace the ones I know would benefit me on many levels (focusing on one task at a time, respecting the time I block for myself, stop picking at my nails).
But if we're looking at one action & only one action, it's this for me:
Stay focused. One thing at a time.
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:34 am
You betcha! Focusing on one thing at a time is the key. And sometimes that means letting go of focusing on an inability to let go. I know, that sounds cyclical and a little crazy-making. But you're on the right track.
If we have a moment of backsliding, we can say "Well, I blew my diet/my schedule/my plan to get organized" and wallow, or we can say "I can't control what happened before this minute. The past is merely prologue, but I can control what I do right now, and RIGHT NOW, I'm going to focus on what I *can* do."
As for me, the best thing I can do now to make 2009 better is to work on accepting that there are things I cannot control, and take the first steps towards putting those things in the hands of experts. Whatever we delegate, whether to a physician or a virtual assistant, we have to be willing to hand off what others are uniquely qualified to do, so that we can be better at what WE are uniquely qualified to do.
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:08 am
To move my life forward, I need to practice what I preach (or walk my talk as we coaches like to say). Which means: to face my fears rather than retreat from them, to strive to be totally authentic at all times, to give myself permission to make mistakes, and to go after what I want rather than what I think I can get. My one action? "Choose my goal and don't let anything stop me. Persist."
Great question, by the way.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:53 am
Julie – While I'm not at a point to delegate anything professionally, I've come to that realization personally (which was hard for a controlling perfectionist!). And ya know what I found? When I see my hubby putting together our wedding albums for the family, I gaze at him and think, "Thank freakin' G-d that I ain't doing that!" Of course, it's always easier to do that with someone that you trust….but still. Keep me posted on how your delegation goes!
Joanne – That's all? Facing fears, being authentic, making mistakes and going after what you want? Such small things……if it was opposite day! But I think you summed it up in your one goal – it's a great umbrella statement. Hope that you hung in on your mirror or taped it to your computer screen so you can see it every day, & that you're celebrating your achievements along the way.
December 4th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
2009 feels full of promise! The action I'm taking right now is to identify two audacious goals for making next year my best year to date. (I'm very close to nailing these down, but I am challenging myself to make them SMART.)
Once I've stated these goals, I need to declare them publicly and establish some accountability to follow through. Following your courageous example, I think I will put them on my blog and get more personal with my readers.
December 5th, 2008 at 4:20 am
That's awesome, Jennie! Can't wait to read about your audacious goals. I love the word "audacious", too. And the word "goals". So it's a win-win.