A Quick Year In Review
2005 has been a year of BIG LEARNING for me in both my personal and professional life. It started off being very difficult and is finishing with a feeling of gratitude for all that has happened, along with great optimism about 2006!
I've learned through the years that sometimes we need to GET COMPLETE, or get closure, with relationships and life issues in order to move forward. That process often requires reflection, and sometimes a review of our past actions and current beliefs, in order to accept what is so in our life, become peaceful, and move forward.
With that in mind, I offer a quick look back at the issues and ideas I shared with you this year. If you want to read more about these, please visit my website and click on a particular newsletter issue.
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Moods of Resignation and Ambition - Moods literally color the way we see the world and allow us to take, or not take, certain actions. If you find yourself RESIGNED, remember to 1) check out your assumptions about your life's possibilities with someone you trust and/or 2) GET INTO ACTION in order to shift to AMBITION.
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Ask for what you want - Remember, our unspoken expectations get us absolutely nothing, except usually frustration and resentment. If you want something from someone else, make an EFFECTIVE REQUEST.
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Learn to say NO - If you want to be less stressed, get rid of that feeling of constant overwhelm, and slow down your life it's simple - YOU MUST LEARN TO SAY NO! There's no other way around it and it's not as easy as it sounds.
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Good Leaders know how to Talk and Listen - Leaders get paid to have EFFECTIVE CONVERSATIONS. Good leaders have developed the courage to have the "hard" conversations that need to be had, often difficult and fierce, but always honest.
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Let's be Honest - Our world today is full of spin and often lacks authenticity. We must learn to develop the EMOTIONAL STRENGTH that will allow us to be honest with ourselves first, and then others. It's about facing fear with courage.
As you begin to move into 2006, I invite you to take the time to reflect and review your life, be truthful about where it is right now, and get complete with 2005 first! Don't carry that baggage forward with you into the new year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
With Peace and Gratitude, Mark
