by
Rosemary O’Neill
There is one tiny change you can make to your daily life that will have a huge impact on your success. In work, in relationships, and in family life. Lean closer, because Iâm going to have to whisper it.
Look back.
The Secret to Progress You Can Start Today
My car has one of those built-in video screens so that I can see whatâs behind me when Iâm backing up. Skateboards, basketballs, and even the occasional kid have all survived my driveway because of this rear-vision feature.
Weâre all told constantly to plan, set goals, look ahead. And in these next few weeks youâll be barraged with people telling you to sit down and create a roadmap for 2013.
But before you do that, itâs essential to grab a cup of coffee and review 2012. How can we ever savor life, see our progress, and learn from our mistakes and successes if we donât ever take a moment to look for them?
Daily Gratitude
At the end of every day, as youâre settled in bed and closing your eyes, take a couple of minutes to think back and be grateful for the day just passed. Give yourself a high five for any accomplishments.
Weekly Review
At the end of every week (I do it on Sunday afternoon), sit down and actually write out your successes. Write down lessons you learned during the week. Write down things you meant to do but didnât and figure out why. Write down things that happened that made you feel awesome.
Monthly Check-in
At the end of the month, glance through your weekly review notes, as a reminder of your progress and things youâve learned. It will solidify the lessons learned and give you a boost going into the coming month.
Yearly Wrap-up
Almost everyone starts the year with some sort of vision or goals (letâs not say resolutions anymore, ok?). But do you ever sit down at the end of the year and see how you did? So maybe you didnât finish that novel, but you did publish your blog three times a week. Itâs ok to celebrate that. And since you have your weekly reviews in front of you, you can really see and remember everything. Before I started writing these things down, I wouldnât have remembered some of the minor victories that really stack up.
Do you take time to look back? Do you have any review tips to share?
Thank you, Rosemary!
You’re irresistible!
ME “Liz” Strauss