Are We Looking Back or Moving Forward?

Now that's a loaded question!

When I look back, my first thought is "Wow, what a ride"! 2008 was a year of highs and lows. I've had the pleasure of building a successful coaching practice with my husband Bob and have the bumps and bruises to show for it. I've enjoyed wonderful successes sprinkled with a few failures. Like many others, I've faced financial challenges and have had to make difficult decisions as a result. I have cherished happy times with friends and family and sadly remember my sweet Mom, Father-in-Law and a few friends who are no longer with me. And when looking back, it would be a sin of omission if I didn't fess up that I consumed way too many calories in 2008!

Looking foward I see numerous opportunities, exciting challenges, new things to learn, new relationships and countless adventures! And God willing, a winning lottery ticket!

So, which will you choose?

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions...never have. Probably because I've yet to make one and keep it. Instead, I believe in planning ahead instead of resolving to undo what's been done in the past.

In order to plan ahead, we have no choice but to look back and reflect on the year but I'm careful to only look back to assess where I was to help me determine where I'm headed. A smart guy named Tony Stoltzfus came up with a great way to look ahead and I'm happy to report that I've used it successfully.

If you'd like to give it a try, grab a piece of paper and pen and take a few moments and invest a little time and effort to make 2009 what you want it to be.


First, let's look at the 8 key areas of our lives and rank each area on a scale of 1 to 10.

Work: your career, business, industry

Money: income, investments, retirement

Living environment: home, office, car, etc.

Personal growth: what do you want to do or learn to improve yourself

Health & recreation: how do you plan to take care and entertain yourself

Community: friends, community involvement, social life

Family: married/single life, children, parents, etc.

God: your spiritual life

Do you see some areas you might want to key in on in 2009? Good! Once you've assessed where you've been, you can look forward and devise a "plan" for how you'll intend to tackle each of these areas.

Next, challenge yourself and make a list that includes the following:

5 key goals you want to achieve in 2009

5 people you want to get closer to

5 new skills you want to learn

5 problems you want to resolve

5 fabulous adventures you want to experience

5 things you want to let go of

If you'll take the time to invest in "YOU" for just 30 minutes, you can create an incredible plan for the coming year. Are you willing? I am!

As we look back, assess, smile and/or shed a tear, let's not forget to look forward with childlike curiousity and excitement!!

Plan for tomorrow to be fabulous!!!!!

Until next post, I'll leave you with this great little poem by Robert Louis Stevenson...

"Looking Forward"

When I am grown to man's estate

I shall be very proud and great,

And tell the other girls and boys

Not to meddle with my toys.

Have a Happy & Safe New Year and Plan an Amazing 2009!

Jean-Ann Cooper, Business & Personal Coach

Cooper Worldwide Coaching
http://www.cooperworldwidecoaching.com/

P.S. I love my toys too!

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