tags: goals, happy new year, life coaching, motivation, new beginning, new year, reflect, setting goals
I love the New Year.
What makes this time of year so special?
First of all, the weather of course. The skies are crisp blue, the temperatures are perfect. We can finally live outdoors for a while, soak up the energy of the sun.
But what I like most of all around this time of year is looking back, and the thrill of a new beginning.
What have we done the past year, how far have we come? What went well, what didn’t? This particular time of year gives us the opportunity to look back and celebrate. Yes, we’ve achieved so many things. And yes, from time to time things went wrong. Even that can be a reason to celebrate. Sometimes, we learn our lessons the hard way and we fail. And still, that’s where we learn the most, and what moves us fast-forward.
This is also the time to look ahead. Set intentions and goals for the year ahead of us .
What do I want to achieve?
What do I want to do better this year?
What did I learn of the past year that I want to improve now?
One of the items high on my list is improving the lives of employers and employees. Various studies show that employee satisfaction and loyalty in the Gulf is painfully low. The cost of this is very high: Just think of staff retention: having to train new people on the job all the time. And this won’t come as a surprise to anyone: If you can’t retain your staff, your staff won’t retain your customers. And, what’s worse, the impact on the health of all the people who aren’t happy at work. So, this is what I will do this year: offer more coaching and workshops, so that employers and employees get empowered to create a happy work environment.
Watch this space!
Also at this time of year, I indulge in giving and receiving all the best wishes to and from friends and family. We’re all in celebratory mood, and at our best behavior. It’s the time for forgiving and for acknowledging how wonderful it is to know each other. My resolution is to keep this going for a while longer. Why only appreciate others at New Year, their birthday or their funeral?
Life is too wonderful and most of all, too short to not celebrate the good things every day. And to me, having wonderful relationships, with my husband and kids, my relatives, my colleagues and clients, is what makes me happy. So, I’ll be acknowledging and appreciating them all, every day.
Habits sometimes take a while to get well established, so I’ll be writing it in my new diary just to remind myself of this promise.
Happy New Year everyone!
José de Heer
jose@authenticity.ae