2020 has been a challenging year for many, but it has also offered us the time to dig deep and reflect on what and who we hold dear in our life. For some, the global lockdowns provided the opportunity to take a breath and reflect in a way they may never have done so before, and to get clear on their goals and dreams moving forward. They were able to embrace the challenges, view them as a chance to reboot their life, whether by choice or due to the circumstances they found themselves in. For others, the fear, uncertainty and loss may have overwhelmed them, leaving them unable to see a way out…
While some have undoubtedly suffered more than others, our coping mechanism is very much associated with our perception. It is a fact that two people can suffer the exact same challenge and yet have a very different perspective of it and so respond/react in a totally different way. Some will find themselves trapped in ‘victim’ mentality, as I have in the past, and not be able to see the wood for the trees. While for others, they will understand there is a lesson to be learned and will engage their mind differently, to be actively considering a way to push through, regardless.
There is no judgement here. If you haven’t been able to embrace the changes in your life, see any positives in your situation or offer gratitude, just acknowledge that. What’s happened has happened. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t reflect on your year and December is always the perfect time for this.
Plan. Do. Review.
At the beginning of a new year we plan, we think about our future and how we want it to unfold. Then we ‘do’, we take action steps towards our goals and dreams. Finally, at the end of the year, we have the opportunity to review. What worked for you? What didn’t? Will you be glad to see the back of 2020? Why? It’s worth doing this exercise and really taking the time to think about your answers.
I can look back at 2020 with much gratitude in my heart, not least because we received the news that my husband’s cancer had gone into full remission. Staring death in the face had definitely made me rethink my priorities in life and the lockdown that followed immediately afterwards further confirmed this. I was determined to create something positive from our most challenging of times. I felt a calling to do so, to step up and stand in my power. One of the biggest lessons I’d learned was that it’s often at our most challenging times that we’re presented with our greatest opportunities for growth and leaps forward. We just need to have faith, stand in our truth and be a little bit brave.
For me, this meant putting pen to paper. Finally. It had been a lifelong dream to write a book, but it took that ‘dark night of the soul’ – and a 12-week lockdown – to finally realise this was the opportunity I’d been waiting for. It was time to share my vulnerability. It was time to share my story. 10 weeks later, ‘Your Secret Power’ was born and the first draft of my manuscript was at the publishers.
Now I’m not going to pretend it was easy to bare all, but I have already witnessed the ripple effect from it. Without any shadow of a doubt I know it’s been worth it. Eventually being published in late August this year, I’ve had many people reach out to me, to thank me for my honesty, and to share how they resonate with it. It’s inspired them to believe in themselves, in some cases for the very first time. And this was my reason and motivation for writing it in the first place. Of course, I was thrilled it became a bestseller I’m not going to lie, but it’s my message behind the book, and the tips and techniques that I share within it, that were my driving force, so that I can help make a difference.
And so, as the year draws to a close, I urge you to look back at the lessons you’ve learned, as well as celebrate all your achievements, however small they may seem. If you’re not where you want to be that’s fine, acknowledge and accept that for what it is. Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t make excuses. Just accept, without judgement and think about the changes you’d like to see in the year ahead. You absolutely have the power to make your goals and dreams come true. It will mean stepping outside of your comfort zone and being that little bit brave, but know this; everything you need is already within YOU and you absolutely can step into your secret power.
Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve – Napolean Hill
And if you’d like a bit of extra support for the start of 2021, then I invite you to check out my 6-week online group coaching programme It’s not just about setting new year resolutions, it’s about nourishing your body, mind and soul, getting clear on your goals and dreams, and then taking inspired action towards them. A 6-week complete mind/body/spirit resetexperience, with my full support, covering goal setting, mindset, limiting beliefs, nutrition and much much more. Follow the link here for more information:
Your Secret Power, New Year Reset
