Who will you be in 2008?
by Andrew Bryant
Director of Self Leadership International
If you are like me you are feeling the impending close of the year 2007; of course we first have to enjoy/survive the festive season but in just a couple of weeks it will be 2008!
This is a good time to reflect on this last twelve months and consider how much you have grown as a person (and I don't mean any extra kilos you have put on!). Step back and answer these questions:
- What have you achieved?
- What have you learned?
- Whose life/lives have you positively impacted?
- What didn't get done?
Answering these questions will give you a moment of self-awareness.
I define Self-leadership as, Knowing who you are, what you can do, where you are going, coupled with the ability to manage your emotions and communication on the way to getting there. This definition puts us in the 'driving seat' of our lives and acknowledges that we can choose how we deal with the circumstances that we will encounter.
With Self-leadership we become intentional about our personal and professional development rather than leaving it to chance. Your intentions will translate into actions which will become your results, so now it an excellent time of the year to get strategic.
A good strategist considers the end game and then works backwards to consider the various permutations of actions or moves that will get them there. So your coaching question is, "Who do you want to be twelve months from now?" Imagine yourself as having already achieved the state of growth you desire, step into this experience so that you know what it feels like and what it is like to look out at the world through the eyes of this state. Now answer these questions:
- How do I feel about myself?
- What is my attitude to life?
- What are the qualities of my relationships?
With these questions answered you will realise your intentions for 2008.
Henry Ford said, "Thinking is the hardest work we do, that's why so few people do any of it." So if you have taken time to think about what it is you want to become you are ahead of the pack.
So have a fantastic festive season and best wishes from the team at Self Leadership International, see you next year.