Another year in the books! Wow, how the time flies! Seems like only yesterday (or does it?) you were laughing and fidgeting in the crowd next to your High school buds listening to your Valedictorian’s graduation speech. “How much fun it’s been , the friends you’ve made, all the growing pains and pleasures and what a bright future we all have ahead of us. ..”
Oh, your diploma was blank? Woops!
Each passing year, those carefree days keep getting further and further away as we try to make our mark the best we can on that brighter future we kept hearing about while nervous laughter echoed around the auditorium. On that exciting commencement day, of course, we and everyone else were silently muttering the words: “Now what ?”
So Where are you today?
Are you living the life you dreamed about? Full of Riches, fame, contribution, adventure and Unicorns? Are you still trying to figure out what you want to do? Carnie, Movie Star or Sales person? Have you thrown your hands in the air and given up on this so called bright future? Well…?
There is still time…but it’s ticking!
With the calendar turning over yet again, now is the time to reflect on the year you’ve just experienced. Did you really live it or did you just go through the motions trying to get through to the next year?
Wow, I can’t believe it’s the end of December already!
On the radio about this time, they always play the top 100 or 500 songs of the year countdown(well, top 5 these days) and of course, you can’t wait to find out the top 25 Kardashian instagrams or who the top 10 Scientology defections are this year.
Very exciting indeed!
There’s a top 10 this and top 25 that for everything! Why not do a top 10 list for yourself? Take a minute or two right now to reflect on the most impactful moments you’ve experienced over the last year. Try to come up with at least 10. Can’t think of any? Dig a little deeper!
The more the better!
They may be events, people you’ve met, distinctions you’ve made, books read, TV. shows watched, REM sleep you’ve gotten etc. etc. Some moments may be positive, some negative. Write them all down and really reflect on them. You can and will certainly gain value from both.
“Don’t just get through the day, get from the day” –Jim Rohn
Carry these insights and experiences into the next day, week, month, and year. Do this exercise regularly from now on and you can’t help but become a Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Smarter and more Valuable you.
“Never fear, Underdog is here!” –from Underdog cartoon
Armed with this inner strength and increased value, you’ll find you can move Mountains, knock down walls, save the planet, hit a sales goal, start your own business or at the very least, contribute more of yourself to world. As we all know, the more you contribute- the more rewards come your way.
Next thing you know, you won’t feel so embarrassed attending the upcoming High School reunion. Maybe lose 30lbs, paint some hair on your head and pitch the Earth shoes though and always remember as you reflect on your future:
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today!
–Old Japanese Proverb(I think)
