Be inspired by 2022
As we are nearing the end of the year, we are able to reflect on 2022 and look at what we have accomplished and also what we want to do differently in 2023. At the beginning of 2022, many of us felt that we were recovering from the devastating effects of Covid and started living in the new normal. But life, as usual, is ever-changing and unpredictable. My own life took a dramatic turn when I was not only retrenched but found myself unemployable in the formal sector. At the ripe age of 55, when many women start to look forward to retirement, I started a new company. With this in mind, I reflected on 2022 and would like to share my top tips for reflection which you can apply to your own circumstances.
1. What were your WINS for 2022?
What were the best things that happened to you not only in your personal life but also in your career? Start making a list of not only the big things but also the smaller things and you will be surprised at how long the list will become. It is only human to concentrate on the negative and by listing the positive; you will start seeing the past year in perspective.
2. What were your big LOSSES?
It will be foolish not to look at what the goals were that you did not achieve, or the things that went wrong. But also look at the reasons why. Sometimes, the reasons are out of our control. I think for example about the devastating floods in KZN or illness. But if you can identify why things went wrong, you are halfway to finding solutions to prevent it from happening again.
3. Lessons learnt.
This brings me to the next tip. As long as we learn from our mistakes and put steps in place to prevent us from making them again, NO mistake is a bad thing. Write down the mistakes you've made in 2022 and next to it two things you can do differently in future.
4. What are you grateful for?
No matter our circumstances, there is always something to be grateful for. I was recently humbled when a friend shared with me the many things she is grateful for in her life, yet she suffered some serious health issues in 2022.
5. Set goals for 2023 and not just 'New year's
Resolutions'.
The New Year fills us all with a sense of freedom and 'new beginnings’, an opportunity to start something new or to do something differently. Don't fall into the trap of making New Year’s resolutions that are often not kept past the end of January. Rather set yourself some goals on what you want to achieve in 2023.
BE INSPIRED by your reflections on 2022 to set you up for a successful 2023. Feel free to share your reflections, comments and goals with me.
