How to turn last year’s regrets into THIS YEAR’s SUCCESSES!

 

As Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote,

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier’”

 

HOW can you turn the regrets of yesteryear into a brilliant New Year?

First, it is about understanding what makes you truly happy.

Is it Power? Promotion? Money? A new Payrise? A new job?

Is it Love, Luck and Laughter?

Each and every one of us has a special gift, an innate ability to listen to our own unique inner voice.

If only we would listen.

 

I want you to try something.

Take a moment

Go on!

 

1/   Physically go somewhere quiet and take 3 or 4 deep, slow breaths.

2/   In complete stillness, quietly whisper to yourself what makes you truly happy?

3/   Close your eyes and visualise the moment when you were last truly happy.

 

If you do this properly – you will have at least the semblance of a smile on your face!

 

It may be the warm memory of your child’s first smile,

The face of your lover laughing

The ecstasy and thrill of a new job

Maybe it is the simple pleasure of driving your new car for the first time

 

For me, it was just a few days ago on Christmas Night. I’d been with my family for Christmas in Kent. That night, I turned to my husband and said “You know what? This has been the best Christmas for years.” He agreed.

What had made it so special?

All of us had been happy and content

All of us had been together sharing warmth, love and laughter

No rows

No shouting

The kids hadn’t started World War 3 (and neither had Donald Trump – yet!)

I’d managed to cook a Christmas meal that wasn’t burnt (I didn’t even forget to cook the sprouts)

No work or thoughts of work had the chance to creep into my head.

I’d had a break from the day to day

I’d had the time to just enjoy being in the moment with others I care about.

To be present and at peace

Together, with others, I’d had the chance to create lasting, happy memories to look back on.

All of us have the power within ourselves to feel great emotion, unbearable sadness, joy, happiness, love and reflection.

However, how many of us take the time to stand still.

To just ‘be in the moment’

 

As 2018 fades away and we are in the first throes of a New Year, take the time to think about what you have regretted in the last 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days.

 

What didn’t you do?

How could you have done better?

How could you have made every day, minute, every second count?

If you are stuck in a rut – how can you make small changes to make a big difference?

Could you do a new course? Gain a new qualification? Apply for that promotion? Interview for a new job?

Could you suggest new ideas to your boss that will make you stand out?

 

I’ll leave you with some wise words from William Shakespeare….

 

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny,

But in OURSELVES”