For most of us, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is often a quiet time and a very good opportunity to sit back and reflect.
How did things go in 2011? I trust that a lot went well for you. It’s always good to stop and appreciate all that we have—good health, good relationships, special accomplishments and experiences, the good times we had. It’s often far too easy to get caught up with what we don’t have, on what isn’t going right, and undervalue all the good stuff.
As for the things that could have and/or should have gone better, this is also a good time to think about them and consider how you can improve them in the New Year.
Personal finances and the influence of money on life is usually an important part of this reflection. Although money can and should add to happiness, it has become a huge source of stress for most people. It’s the number one cause of health problems, of relationship problems and divorce. Money is now, far and away, the number one cause of unhappiness in our society.
If you relate to this, I assure you that solutions are available. What are required are some know-how and a commitment to seeing it through.
Over the next couple of weeks I will lay out a number of powerful steps to take when it comes to optimizing the role of money in your life. For now, reflect on and appreciate all that you have, and take the time to think about what you want from your life—what do you want to be, to do and to own?
As you consider this question, don’t shortchange the things you would like to do during your life. Far too often we concentrate on what we want to have or accomplish, when what we end up doing is so often the real key to having a happy and satisfying life. Think about the things you’d like to see or experience; a special vacation, an adventure (big or small), a special event, a new skill. Nobody, at the end of their life, wishes they had owned more things. They only regret the things they didn’t do.
So take some time to reflect as you welcome in the New Year, then get ready to make a commitment to doing what it takes to make 2012 a great “year to remember”.
Happy New Year!