2012 RETROSPECTIVE

This is the time of year when everyone does it - looks back on where they have been over the past year so they can prepare for the upcoming one.  I am no different.

The vernacular definition of the word "insanity" is to keep doing the same thing over but expecting different results.  What do you plan to do differently in the year 2013 to force a different outcome?  Or are you totally pleased with your 2012 outcome and wouldn't change a thing?

Here are a few things to consider:

• If you are still working, do you like your job? 
•  Is it satisfying or a spirit killer? 
• Are you making the most of your talents and pursuing your passion? 
• If you were forced to retire today would you have been content with your career? 
•  Would you have been fulfilled or would you have wished that you had made a career change?

It is never too late to make a positive change.  Yes, even at this point in your life.  Have you ever read the book "What Color is Your Parachute"?  The book helps you to identify your passion and strengths and helps identify what career choices are best suited to your personality.  Or you can go on-line and take some personality assessment tests.  Or make an appointment with the career counselor at your Alma mater.  Once you decide what it is you would like to do, then determine exactly what you need to do in order to made a successful career change.  Sometimes our volunteer work will provide us the experience needed and it certainly can provide networking contacts to which we may not otherwise be exposed.  I love reading.  An extension of my love for reading has led me to volunteer as a reading tutor to adults.  One of my goals for 2013 is to become a remedial reading teacher.  I am putting this goal out there publicly so that I will feel the pressure of having told everyone my goal and hopefully some of you will hold my feet to the fire so that I stay focused and pull this off - it's about accountability for your goals.

Going into 2013, are there relationships you need to scrap?  Do you have friends and/or family who tear you down or beat you up with their words?  People will only treat you the way you let them.  If you don't lay the groundwork for how you want to be treated, when will you?  Do you want to take that negativity into 2013?

Are you pleased with your financial situation?

• Have you saved enough? 
• Do you have too much debt? 
• How much stuff do you really need? 
• Do you need to cut back on some spending and get more bills paid off? 
• Do you have any short term and/or long term financial goals you should be working on? 

Another goal of mine for 2013 is to take a Disney Cruise next Christmas.  That is going to take some planning on my part.  It will also mean cutting back on something else and some major saving.

Are you satisfied with your health?  Did you schedule and keep all of your health maintenance appointments this year?  Our health is our own responsibility.  The older we get, the more aches and pains we wake up with.  Let's make sure those aches and pains are benign and not symptoms of something more significant.  The quality of our health determines the quality of our lives.

Now is the time to examine our lives and make any necessary changes.  It may sound cliche, but today really is the beginning of the rest of our lives.  Let's take that saying seriously and make a real commitment to getting on the right track if we don't feel that we are already on it.  Let's make something happen and not just let it happen.

There are a number of things I want to change.  I have already started.  The years seem to be flying by.  I want to look back at 2013 and be much more pleased with where I am then than where I am now.


Peace