For over 20 years I have taken time every January to review my year, to take stock, forgive myself and others, celebrate my accomplishments and consciously choose to put the year behind me. That process has allowed whatever is next for my life and work to arise organically in the space of completion. That means I am not dragging good or bad baggage into the coming year.
To be complete (whole, no part missing) is one of the legs of the Fundamentals Tripod™. To be complete is an experience of joy and freedom. Energy bubbles up for what is next. When we are able to look at all the parts of the previous year and not pretend that somehow we weren't there, we can take hold of the wheel and firmly put our butt in the driver's seat. Reviewing our year begins with the willingness to consciously design our lives. If that does not sound feasible to you, just try on the idea.
I can assure you that I never feel like romping through my calendar and looking at the goals I had set myself the previous January and taking stock. I always think it is going to be a grim experience. I think, "I am going to get so depressed do this. I will see all my failures and feel terrible." It is NEVER a grim experience! Ever. Sometimes it is enlightening, even sobering, but always grounding and very good. You do need to set aside the time to look at journals, notes and calendar and feel the experience of living the previous year. I use the "Completing the Year" worksheet that originated from the Mastery Foundation.
Here is a sample of the questions: New people you met or worked with who had an impact on you? Breakdowns around money, work, personal and family life? Missed opportunities you regret? Courses, programs, educational events in which you participated? Major issues resolved with individuals, institutions, programs? People who died or left? Successes you had? Trips or vacations you took or tried to take?
My coaching clients have consistently felt surprised at the sudden freedom and relief that comes with completion. One person initially expressed concern about "rehashing" her failures. I responded: "If something is complete, you cannot rehash it. If you can rehash it, it isn't complete. You never need to be concerned about "digging up the past." You cannot dig up the past if it is complete. You might think of the situation or conversation, but there won't be a charge on it and it won't bite you." When she finished the process, she felt fabulous, happy and energized. She created a fabulous banner for 2011.
Last year someone wrote: "The 'Completing the Year' process that I did with Eileen last month was hard! It was not easy to go over the entire year and see what I had done and not done, said and not said, promises kept and not kept. The hardest part was naming my accomplishments! which I would never have done without Eileen's support. I really put last year to bed. A month into this new year (2010) and amazing things are happening! I really feel as though I am designing this year of my life the way I want it and not dragging last year's stuff into it!"
Because I deeply believe that this completion work is key to creating new futures for our lives I am making TWO OFFERS:
- If you would like to work one-on-one with me and contract with me before January 24 (my birthday), I will take 50% off my usual fee for the 90-minute process bringing it down from $250 to $125. You will not step over anything if you work with me!
- If you would like to be part of a group of no more than four people in a group coaching call for 90 minutes, the fee goes down to $85. Again, you must contract with me before January 24, although we do not need to have had the session by then. We will find the date and time that is best for everyone.
Please email me for more information and to register.
However you choose, find your own way to be at peace with 2010 and put it to rest. You can then create a framework or banner for 2011 that calls to you and pulls you toward your life's purpose.
