Getting Ahead: 3 Ways to Celebrate How Far You’ve Come
It’s a New Year, and I’ve talked with so many people who are anticipating massive breakthroughs, new opportunities and simply having their best year yet.
It’s no secret the past few years have been rough for many people, both personally and professionally. Businesses are struggling. Millions are out of work. Marriages are crumbling. The sentiment of “Out With The Old, In With the New” is stronger than ever before.
As a professional coach, I’m thrilled that so many people are waking up to what they really want and taking responsibility and ownership of their future.
Yet at the same time, I want to make sure you don't get too overly aggressive about dreaming and planning for the future that it hinders your ability to take concrete steps towards those goals today.
Please understand that when you get so busy looking ahead and creating a mental picture of what you “need to do” and where you “should be,” it’s impossible to have clarity or be at peace within yourself. If you get too exuberant or obsessed with “should-ing yourself”, those thoughts of excitement and anticipation for the future can quickly turn toxic, as you’ll hear:
“You’ve fallen short.”
“You should have made more progress by now.”
“Maybe you really don’t have what it takes.”
“You’ve been lucky so far. You don’t have the talent or smarts to sustain this long-term.”
“Things aren’t really changing. Maybe it’s not meant to be.”
Success and achievement for the future needs to be anchored in appreciation and clearly knowing our past. Celebrating how far you’ve come is critical to your success.
Of course we must have clear goals and dreams for the future. But equally important to our success is learning how to stay in the present. Celebrate the small victories and learn how to declare in hard times: “I may not be where I NEED to be yet, but thank goodness I’m not where I USED to be!”
Half the battle in reaching your dreams is keeping what I call the “Minimizer Gremlin” in check so that when struggles and setbacks arise (which they will!), you can appreciate how far you’ve come and harvest that wisdom. While everything may not be tied up in a neat and tidy bow, simply having that awareness and now being in a position to choose to DO something about it is huge progress.
So as you move forward in setting your goals and getting clear about what you want this year, don't forget to strengthen your celebration muscles along the way. Here’s a few “conditioning” questions designed to keep your brilliance backbone strong in times of insecurity doubt and fear:
1. How would I have handled this issue or problem 6 months ago? A year ago? As you answer this question, notice how much you’ve grown and shifted in your ability to handle more complex problems or challenges in your life.
2. What skills, insight and wisdom have I gained in my journey that I can apply to this situation? Get specific about your new awareness and claim your shifts.
3. What impact have I had from sharing my skills, services and experience with others? What evidence or feedback do you have that your life or business are making a positive contribution to others? Assure yourself that you are good enough and that even right now, you are making valuable contributions to the world.
© 2012 Carolyn B. Ellis All Rights Reserved
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it:Posted: January 19th, 2012 under General.
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