A little something for the New Year

Each year I like to do a ritual to move from the old year to the new. This year the idea that came to me was to include a review of the old, add a dose of gratitude, and then to take through only what I wished for plus some extras in the new. So my offering at the end of the year is this:

Paint your 2008…

Sit somewhere where you will not be disturbed and take some time to review the past year and think about the coming one. Think back through 2007 and identify all the things that stand out for you.

Now imagine that 2007 is a painting – it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece - imagine it as any kind of painting you like, and see all the different aspects of 2007. Things that happened that you liked, and things that you disliked. Changes you made, successes you had, people you met, people you said goodbye to. Experiences you enjoyed, and those that weren’t so nice. Fill in this painting with every aspect of the year. Take a moment to acknowledge them and be grateful for all of them being in your life. Recognise that nothing that happens in life is a waste and we learn from all things.

However now is the time to decide what you choose to leave behind. Step back and in your mind (or in reality if you have actually drawn the painting) taking a large tippex pen and white out all the things that you do not wish to see in 2008. You now have a canvas in front of you with some white gaps, so turn and think about 2008. What would you like to paint into the canvas? What would you like to add, what experiences, achievements, people, successes, surprises would you like to see. When you look back over 2008 come next Christmas what do you want to see in your painting? Draw all these elements into your painting.

This is a lovely exercise as it not only acknowledges the past year but also then focuses on taking what you truly like about your life forward and adding the bits that will make it even better.

Happy 2008.




If this message has sparked your interest and made you think then please feel free to leave a comment - the more the merrier. If you would like to be informed when a new blog is posted please sign up for the blog alert by clicking the link (above to the right) or email me with Alert in the subject line.


If you would like to explore how coaching can empower you to focus on moving towards that place of joy in your life please feel free to contact me to arrange a time for me to call you for a free introductory session. Tel +34 958 639 593 or click here to email me


If you would be interested in attending the Breakthrough to Success seminar mentioned in previous blogs please click this link and you can enrol for free for the next event in either the UK, Ireland, USA or Australia. Please feel free to pass this invitation onto as many people as you like.

A Bit of a Reality Check

I received a lovely email this week from a client who had just returned from an arduous hike up to Everest Base Camp. Not only did she have a fantastic if challenging experience and raise a large sum of money for charity, but also she came back with a hugely increased mental strength and said that she felt that if she could survive those extreme conditions she could survive pretty much anything. Not only that but she had realised that life was short and time moves quickly and so she wanted to get on and do what she can today rather than putting things off till tomorrow.

She also noted the generosity of the Nepalese people, who had very little to start with. They were so kind and helpful and it was so touching and she felt that we had a lot to learn from them. In all her trip, as well as being a fantastic challenge and experience, was a bit of reality check.

How often do we get caught up the dramas of our lives that we forget just what we do have and what we have achieved? So often we are focused on what we still wish to happen that we forget to acknowledge where we are, let alone be grateful. I know on reading her story that I felt that I could do with a bit of reality check.

With that reminder I remembered that I live in a lovely part of the world with a great partner who I love and doing work that gives me huge pleasure and satisfaction. Sure there is room for improvement, but where isn’t there? But by taking a moment to do this reality check I felt so much more grateful for my life, and optimistic about what is yet to come. Life is the journey, it is good to sometimes stop and look at the view.

Happy Weekend


If this message has sparked your interest and made you think then please feel free to leave a comment - the more the merrier. If you would like to be informed when a new blog is posted please sign up for the blog alert by clicking the link (above to the right) or email me with Alert in the subject line.


If you would like to explore how coaching can empower you to focus on moving towards that place of joy in your life please feel free to contact me to arrange a time for me to call you for a free introductory session. Tel +34 958 639 593 or click here to email me


If you would be interested in attending the Breakthrough to Success seminar mentioned in previous blogs please click this link and you can enrol for free for the next event in either the UK, Ireland, USA or Australia. Please feel free to pass this invitation onto as many people as you like.