Inside then outside.
As we approach the end of the year, our thoughts may be wandering to what we’d like to see happen next year. Many times, these ruminations may revolve around personal goals.
We may have experienced the following pattern previously. We start the New Year with ambitious goals which fade out in the first few weeks or months, leaving us with little accomplished.
We probably beat ourselves up about our perceived failure, but we still don’t manage to stick with the changes we want to make. It’s likely that some of these goals are repeats from previous years, also unsuccessful in the past. But we may remain hopeful that somehow the coming year is the one in which we will succeed.
Our ideation around these potential accomplishments likely focuses on an end result and steps (often ambitiously laid out) by which we’ll achieve them. We may shy away from pondering the fact that we’ve tried and failed at achieving these ends before.
But looking at that fact, neutrally and without recrimination, might be the one thing that might help us be more successful with this repeat attempt. An honest and clear appraisal of what held us back from reaching our goals might help us understand what needs to be different this time around, so that we can have a more positive outcome.
Do we possibly have a fear of success? Has failure at this type of goal been consistent in the past? If so, why? Is there some deep-seated negative belief about our capabilities that sabotages our attempts? Are we truly willing to change ourselves to alter the outcome? What might we need to give up to get what we believe we want?
Today’s message advises me that now is the perfect time to make inner changes and deepen personal understanding of what might hold me back. When I am clear inside, things clarify around me. As within, so without.
Please reflect and share. What might you wish to shift inside to clear the way for achievement next year?