Welcome to the last blog of the year and what a year it has been – tempus fugit ……… and some! It has been an interesting and challenging year in so many different ways, but one in which I have gone to work on myself and made massive progress.  I am looking forward to a good break at Christmas, a chance to sit back and reflect on what is still to come and rejuvenate in order to create the energy and creativity I need to kick start 2016.

Quality time off should be about preparation not recuperation. So how do you ensure that, for those of us lucky enough to get some time over the next couple of weeks, you use that time to focus on the things that will help make 2016 the best year it can be. There are three things I will be doing and I share them with you.

Look back and learn – I once heard someone observe that the past is for reference not for residence, so take the opportunity over the holidays to find some time to review 2015, but don’t dwell on it.  This should create two lists. List 1 – a long list of the things you are proud of, have achieved and want to celebrate – this creates real energy, confidence and should fuel your ambition. List 2 – lessons you have learned – from both your successes and the things that did not go so well, why was it the case and what will you do differently the next time.

Look forward and plan – now is a great time to revisit your goals and aspirations, to add, change and delete as you see appropriate.  Give yourself the space to ask yourself this great Dan Sullivan question – “It is 3 years from now, looking back, what has to happen in your personal and professional life for you to feel happy with the progress you are making?”  Set some goals for this year that would help you track towards that 3 year horizon and agree with yourself how you will monitor your progress.

Focus on health and relationships – you can achieve very little in life without your health and strong, stable, supportive relationships – so take the time over the Christmas period to invest in your health and the relationships that make a difference for you.  This includes your relationship with yourself – a little meditation goes a long way and time spent being ‘present’ (no pun intended) over Christmas – enjoying the moment of what you are doing and who you are with is key.

I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and very best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.