What does the turn of the calendar year mean to you? Whether you see it as a fresh start or just another month, the hectic holidays are over and it’s a good time for a change of pace to re-group, re-fresh and re-boot your life. This can be achieved by taking a look back first.

Do you remember writing reports for school when you were a kid? Then reading them aloud in front of your classmates? A common theme might include "What I Did on My Summer Vacation."

It probably was written using only the positive information, great fun, very cool stuff. Hoping for an A+ or gold star. With that in mind, I have an assignment for you. (It’s fun and you don’t have to read it out loud in front of your co-workers.) Look back on your life and write a short report as if you have left Earth and had to tell someone about...

"What I Did on My Earth Vacation"
Write only the positive stuff, all the fun, all of the interesting things you’ve encountered. Skim over the bad. My story started something like this: "I spent several decades on the lush planet earth and it was mostly fun..." I skimmed over bad parts by saying something like..."Some lessons I had to learn over and over again."

So write what you did on your Earth Vacation and when you are finished . . . think ahead. Next year at this same time, will you be able to add to the story even more accomplishments and goals achieved? Do you have goals beyond the usual "New Years Resolutions?" I define success as goals achieved. When you achieve a goal, have another one in line for continued success.

Keep your story in mind as a reminder during the year. A reminder not to give up on your dreams and goals. And if your story turns out totally cool, it’s okay to read it to your co-workers for extra credit. I’ll give you an A+.

Wishing you all a successful year!

© Julie Howell