Cheers to the New Year and another chance to get it right! Oprah Winfrey
Christmas cards have been pouring in wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It is time to celebrate a new life and a new start! It is a time of reflection on the year past and of looking forward to a new year and imagining what it may bring. New Year is the time to make the changes necessary to lead a more fulfilling life. Start today, reflect upon the things that you don't like, think of ways that you can change them. It is a time to put the past behind you, and step bravely into the unknown.
In my more youthful days, I had a plan of my life etched in my mind. I would find the right man and get married, buy a house, open my business and see the world. For the most part, I have done what I planned, but it is funny how your outlook on life changes as we get older. I think less about things, but more about myself evolving as a good person (my goal is to get into heaven). I want to do something each day that frightens the heck out of me. I want to challenge myself, I want to help others and raise my children to be independent, successful individuals. I want to bring my company as far as I can and continue to have a blast while doing it.
Unfortunately, most people judge their success (or lack of) by what they see around them. My children are in that realm. They see reality shows that show tremendous wealth, not many scruples, and lack of values and morals and dysfunction that is seen as normal by today’s standards. I try to teach my children that those shows are not the norm, that there are ways to become successful, but a plan is needed to do so. Two of my children are in High School and they understand that an education is important. They understand that this sets the foundation for their future and that it is important to get good grades.
I believe that most people set benchmarks in their lives - in their careers, personal lives, personal finance, education and also in obtaining real estate. This helps to keep individuals on track and moving towards where you want to be in a certain number of years. As we embark on the New Year, remember it is a clean slate, and a new page on which to write the next chapter of your life. Do you have goals you'd like to accomplish in the coming year? With all the planning we do to be successful, why does success seem so elusive?
You can do it, get a pen and paper and write down 4 or 5 goals for the New Year. This is basically an action plan, so you must write down sub-sections of how you are going to do this. For example, this is one of my goals for my company, The Adventures of Scuba Jack.
A. I would like to get The Adventures of Scuba Jack into major retail.
1. Develop a larger on-line presence;
2. Exhibit at the New York Toy Fair;
3. Obtain a sales team;
4. Meet with distributors to get my product in the various stores throughout the country;
This could also work with my personal life.
B. Spend more time with my children.
1. Spend time with each of my children individually each week;
2. Sign my son up for a sport that we can go to together;
3. Go out for coffee or dinner with my husband once a week so we can stay cohesive;
4. Make sure that we have a family meeting each Sunday night, so we know the expectations for the week, and basically who is responsible for what!
Put this on your refrigerator and look at it daily. It is nice to have a visual; it is a constant reminder of how you would like your year to transpire. Don't throw this activity aside, do not procrastinate. It is your life so make the best of it. Plan, plan and if necessary adjust those plans. If you need more money, find a way to get it. Get a second job, or find a hobby that you can create a stream of income from. Find your passion and capitalize on it. Don't whine and tell me it can't be done! It can. My father never graduated from High School and did very well for himself. It takes hard work, persistence and a whole lot of determination. Map out your goals and determine ways to reach them. Once you have determined your destination, its time to evaluate your current position and how you are going to achieve those goals.
Remember to make this New Year special; it is the start of your new life. Start with the traditional kiss at midnight for good luck as part of ringing in the New Year. We kiss those dearest at midnight not only to share a moment of celebration with our favorite people, but to ensure those affections and ties will continue throughout the next 12 months. To fail to kiss our significant other at the stroke of midnight would be to set the stage for a year of coldness. So, put on your favorite lip gloss and pucker up. You wouldn't want to take a chance with fate, now would you? Now if you are single, you must prepare prior to the big event. Position yourself in the room next to the most awesome person that you find attractive. Take a large gulp of courage, (I prefer a White Russian) and get as close to your target as you can, and let the kiss begin.
The Scottish song, Auld Lang Syne was first written in the 1700's. Robert Burns is the person whose transcription got the most attention, so that is why the song is associated with him. The translation of the words is "we'll drink a cup of kindness yet for times gone by." Yes, let go of the past, and bring forth a new year filled with hope and promise.
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man- Benjamin Franklin
