Time For a New Beginning?

We are about to start another new year.  It’s that time of year when society suggests that now is a good time to brake your old bad habits and start some new habits.  All of us should periodically review our progress and our goals from time to time.  The process is identical to a performance review at your place of employment.  We must review what we planned to do versus what we really did accomplish.  What? You say you didn't plan to accomplish anything!

Don't worry.  You aren't alone.  Most of us don't plan our lives.  We go along to get along.  We live from paycheck to paycheck. We work all week just to get to the weekend.  But guess what happens when 52 of those weeks go bye?  It has been another year and you haven't made any progress on your life's dream, your desire to accomplish something, to achieve your goals. 

Unfortunately, we can't leave our life to chance any longer.  I read somewhere that 'if you don't have a plan for your life, you will end up in someone else's plan'.  That means someone else will use you for their purposes to get ahead in life.  Is that your goal?  If it is then you can relax, because that will come to pass.  I am not advocating that we not help other people on their journey of life.  I am advocating that you not allow others to abuse or use you to further their journey at your expense.

Start by taking a critical look at your life's dreams:

What did you want from your life ten years ago, or five years ago?  
Are these still valid expectations?  
What have you done recently to move toward those goals?
Do you need help or guidance in order to achieve these goals?  
Are you too proud to ask for that help?

By reflecting on our past behavior we can identify some of the things that we need to change.  But, don't do it just because it's new years.  Do it because you have the desire.  Do it because you want to accomplish your life's dream.

- Joe Freeman