Give Yourself Credit

It is time to put away the party hats, pack up the squeaky horn thing-a-ma-bobs, and sweep up the confetti, because we have just kicked off the New Year. Woohoo... you made it! Your ability to stand on your feet, despite what the world has thrown at you, and those around you, is a testament to the powerful and unstoppable person you are. This is who I know you to be. How do you see yourself? I ask that question because the key to being in powerful, unstoppable action, as you step into the New Year, is to stay present to the life you are living; the good you do, the relationships you have, and the accomplishments you have achieved.

How do you do that when the world is often less than kind? Learn to give yourself credit for who you are and what you've accomplished; learn to see how well you are doing, in the face of everyone telling you that you're not. Thumb your nose at the world and acknowledge how great you really are!

Exercise: Looking Back at 2024

As the New Year begins, I encourage you to take some time to sit down in a quiet space, with your significant other, children, or a close friend, and write down all of the things each of you accomplished last year. (Susan and I do this every New Year’s Eve.) Include your personal and professional triumphs. Examples include: paying down a credit card balance, new friends you made, the garden you grew, your son/daughter learning how to tie their own shoes, the clients who were exceedingly happy with the work you produced for them, taking on greater leadership, learning something new, teaching what you know, etc. Leave nothing out... there is nothing too small to go on this list!

Standing there, present to the good you do and the good around you, you can move in any direction you choose. You can be powerful on your own behalf, choosing to be in action around what you want to accomplish this year. When you are present to the good around you, you will stand tall, no matter what the world throws your way, and you will grow immeasurably in your ability to make a difference, not only for yourself but in the lives of others; all of this from simply being present to the golden nuggets in your life.

Please take time to complete the exercise as described above, if you haven’t yet. It is not only my gift to you as we begin this New Year, but a powerful gift you can also give yourself.

My best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful start to your New Year!