You need to know your current location first in order for your internal GPS to work. This is the first step in my coaching model. In a series of four posts I’ll write about each step in the model:
- Where are you now? Current location – Today’s post
- What are your irresistible destinations? – Next week
- How do you overcome obstacles – January week1
- Celebrating progress and success – January week2
There are several steps I go through with clients to learn their current location: tools to understand your values, strengths, passions, and accomplishments. Since we are at the end of the year, this analysis of your current location is a bit different than my standard model. I started this “annual review” last year, after hearing about the process from my good friend Barbara.
Look back at the year and make a list of the things you did, accomplished, learned, etc…It is up to you how you categorize and what you want to note, the important thing is to keep an attitude of gratitude as you review the year. If your critical voice intrudes with a, “oh, I missed that goal completely or I should have done more of that…” then gently ban that critic from the room and replace it with, “what did I learn? Or how can I do that differently going forward?” and make a note for when you create your new destinations (more in next week’s post). Don’t expend any energy on regret (or “should haves”); it is not useful or productive.
My 2009 review included bullets (or lists) of key events for each month (i.e. “jury duty” – not a real positive one but a memorable event) and lists under these categories: “Movies”, “Books”, “Plays”, “Seminars/Classes”, and “New Friends”. It is really up to you how you want to document your year in review.
After you complete your lists, my unique twist is to now imagine you have just been the unfortunate fatal victim of a car accident and your friends and family are talking about how you lived your last year. Think about and more importantly feel what comes up for you. Note those feelings and any things that pop in your mind for next week’s assignment.
Also, here are some prior posts to help you identify your current location:
Coaching Yourself to Extraordinary Results by Being & Doing Your Strengths
Happy Holidays!!
photo credit: vbecker via Flickr creative commons
Interesting twist. Certainly would give you an idea of whether you are focusing on the right things, or whether you are just staying busy and procratinating on the more key activities. I’ll give this a try when I do my 2010 in Review. I’m sure it will help in setting my 2011 goals – which I imagine is where you are leading us in the next few weeks! Thanks Paula!
Thanks Barbara! And thanks again for sharing your process with me. I thought of the twist as a way to check in on whether I am on a path that is in alignment with my values and then possibly make a few adjustments going into the new year! Thanks again for reading and your sharing! Paula
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