I am convinced that I am solar-powered. And here I find myself living in the Pacific Northwest, where gray flannel skies rule for far too much of the year.

Yup, I sleep far too long with these dark days. Being a morning person, it can be quite disruptive. Sans the urgency to be outdoors so true of summertime, I take time to reflect on my year giving thanks for my many blessings, planning what to give to others in a fun and meaningful way, and, of course, resting.

And as I look to the next year, here is a little secret I learned that I want to share with you.

Before I begin my planning for the coming year, I review all my successes for the current year, both big and small. It was not my best year in many ways, and yet, I was impressed at the number of positive outcomes there were.

• I finally published my book!
• I cared for my mother in ways I could not if business had been too time-consuming.
• I found new friends and new support systems.
• I kept my promise to stay in touch with you and others who have contributed to my life in so many positive ways.

This is just the tip of the iceberg that was 2021 for me.

Before you begin the next calendar year, I hope you will take time to reflect on all that has served you well this year. There is always stuff you didn’t do, things you didn’t finish, but I promise you, there were also those things that served you for the better.

Here’s a little tip for starting this exercise: Kick everyone else’s voices out of your head. This is your moment to shine in your own head and heart. Don’t worry if another person would or would not agree. Include your business and personal successes.

• “I drew boundaries with X.”
• “I spoke my truth in this tough situation.”
• “I made my financial goals.”
• “I made a significant leap toward my goals.”
• “I refrained from losing it with Uncle Ted on Thanksgiving.”

Your truth. Your successes.

Ready, set, begin!

Then, when it is time to set a clear vision for 2022, and you want to get unstuck from past patterns and start with a fresh perspective on what is possible, give me a call and we’ll jump-start your year in an equally positive way.

Mary