December News

As this is the last newsletter of 2009 we thought we'd take a slightly different approach and encourage you to take some time to stop and reflect on all the things you are proud of this year, the things you would have done a little differently if you had to do them again and the things you would really like to make more time for.

So this month's topic is Reflections and Wishes.

Happy Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.

Can you believe it is December already? Are the years actually shorter or do they just seem that way as one gets older?! Perhaps your year has passed at exactly the right pace or seems to have taken ages in which case you will wonder what I'm talking about :)

For me, it seems incredible that 2010 is looming when it feels only yesterday that we were all looking forward to the millennium. The passing of time can certainly provide a powerful incentive for making the most of now, both in life and work and so December is often a great time for reflection, learning and new resolutions.

As you prepare for the holiday time take a quiet moment, just for you for reflection. 

Featured Topic: Reflections and Wishes

This short exercise will give you an opportunity to have a little bit of fun while reflecting, learning and planning. If you would like to share any of your thoughts with me that will be wonderful.

Find yourself a quiet spot at home or at work where you will not be disturbed for a little while and flick through your diary for 2009. Make a note of key meetings you attended, presentations you made, things you achieved, things you are proud of, key experiences you remember and other things that occur to you as you reflect. You will probably find that your ideas flow more easily if you just scribble, writing in a word document or something too formal may constrain your thinking.  

Now  you have taken the time to remind yourself of your year, have a play with the following questions;

For 2009...

1. What would your strap line be for 2009? 
2. What picture or image represents 2009 for you? - what is the first thing that came into your head?
3. What song best sums up the year you?
4. If you had a magic wand, what would you have changed in 2009? How?

1. What would you most like to be doing differently in 2010?
2. What will your mantra be for 2010?
3. What picture will best illustrate you in 2010? 
4. What will your anthem be? 

You may find it useful to put the answers to one or more of these 2010 question on a small card or post-it note and keep it close to you.

Activities last month