Year in Review/Preview: Past, Present, Future

"Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now." ~Alan Lakein, American Author, Time Management Expert

Since "Time flies!" and "Where has the time gone?" are likely somewhat common expressions or exasperations in your life, how great is it that we have a chance to look back on time, and unlock the keys to our successes and opportunities to be present in our plans, and look ahead to what is to come! I use what I call The Year in Review/Preview for this fun, reflective, planning activity.

Your Year in Review/Preview is to be done alone, and can be shared with others who complete the Year in Review/Preview or those who do not...it's up to you!

The idea is to go back through your experiences, your memories, and any anticipation or angst in order to ready yourself for each month of the year ahead.

Allow quiet reflection when completing the Year in Review/Preview. Finish each statement without hesitation or concern for how others would perceive it. The "something else" section is for anything else you want to share. Do this for each month as you look back at 2012 and ahead to 2013:

1) My favorite memory of this month

2) The smell/taste I associate with this month

3) The best activity for the month

4) Something I plan to do

5) Something I don't plan to do

6) Something else about this month

7) Someone I will see/outreach to this month

8) Something I will stop or start this month

9) A personal goal/accomplishment for the month

10) Professional goal/accomplishment for the month

The outcome anticipated is to gain perspective, and have a plan when approaching the chunks of time we call months (and years). This is an effective planning tool, a sharing tool (if you make that choice), a balancing tool, and a fun tool for many!

Enjoy! Make it a terrific time in your life for appreciating the past, being present now, and for planning for a great future!

Get Serious About Being SILLY!

“We find it hard to believe that other people's thoughts are as silly as our own, but they probably are.” ~ James Harvey Robinson quotes (American historian (1863-1936)

While you may be "serious" about someone or something, please embrace, and even insist on also being silly for a bit. Being silly doesn't mean you're flaky or dumb, disengaged or distracted, rather silly means:

S - Simply

I - Including

L - Levity &

L - Laughter for/from

Y - You

And, you may be surprised to know that following your "silly" other people and situations often seem a little lighter, smarter, engaging and even command a little more focus!

Celebrating Results and More...

"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it." ~ Greg Anderson, American best-selling Author and founder of the American Wellness Project. (b.1964)

When you are on your way to the "big" year-end, the "big" party, the "big" close of a sale or project, please remember the (seemingly) little efforts and each person and action that lead to that finale as well!

The results and ends to things can be fun to celebrate, and a little more easily recognized, while the "in process" is worth your recognition, too!

The Little Things

“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things... I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.”― Leo F. Buscaglia

Whether it is a Monday, a Thursday, a holiday or any day, it is often the little things that either make someone smile or simply get overlooked. Taking a wee bit of time for the little things is a choice, and one you are encouraged to make...over and over again! What are some of the "little things" to which I am referring? Here are just a few:

Smiling at a stranger (and keep smiling even if s/he does not smile back)

Holding the door for someone who is a bit farther away than a couple of steps (and not getting frustrated if that person doesn't put his/her hand out to support the door instead of just stepping through or doesn't say "thank you)"

Letting someone in on the road/traffic (even if they miss the wave to thank you)

Waving to someone who lets you in on the road/traffic

Sending a thank you note

Complimenting someone for something they did

Calling someone to hear their voice instead of just texting

Saying hello and addressing an issue to a colleague at his or her desk instead of emailing/instant messaging all day

Paying for a stranger's coffee or meal while you are out or they are behind you in the drive-thru

Letting someone tell a story they like telling again (even if you have heard it many times)

Saying "please" and "thank you"...and meaning them both

While these are just a few ideas for this great day, remember that the big things get celebrated, but often the little things are what make a difference!