It only feels like yesterday that we were excitedly awaiting for the 2012 Olympics and that was 3 years ago!!!
I’ve learned through many life lessons that it is important to acknowledge the end of something before moving onto something new too quickly. Graduating from high school and leaving home to go to university meant my life under my parent’s roof was coming to an end and I was stepping into independent living (except for the odd weekend home for Mom to cook and do laundry!). Leaving my corporate job to be an entrepreneur in another country meant the freedom of choice and the fear of uncertainty.
It’s not just big life changes like marriage and death that demand completions – getting promoted to a manager involves an end to life as an employee where you could complain about “management”, finishing a difficult night school course marks the end of so much extra effort and sacrifice, a fall out/parting with a friend ends the fun and support that friend provided, changing jobs to a new company ends the security associated with a “known” place…. The list goes on….
In coaching we call this time the opportunity for “Completion.” When there is a change take some time to be “complete” with the end. This means doing what is necessary to feel complete about a certain stage, event or experience so we are fresh to move onto the next phase. It can take a few minutes to sit and reflect, checking in with yourself to know you’re fine with moving on to taking months to adjust, learn and grow confident with what’s been left behind.
Year End is a perfect time for completion – the end of a long and difficult year for many people. A chance to learn from the time, a chance to identify anything outstanding that you want to address, a chance to express gratitude for what has happened (or not happened!).
Over the next few weeks I will be issuing many of my clients at my executive and leadership coaching sessions here in London with a little bit of homework to help them edge towards completion this year. You can join in too by following my coaching tips below:
Homework #1
Please write 2 lists that reflect the past year.
List 1–All Breakthroughs, Accomplishments, Ah-ha's, stretch moments and other yummy stuff.
List 2–All Breakdowns, failures, missed opportunities, holding self back and other icky stuff.
Homework #2
Come up with 4-6 lessons you learned this year that you want to take into the following year.
All of this reflection helps set the foundation for the next year.
What would it take for you to spend some time reflecting on 2015?
For more information on my executive, leadership and confidence coaching sessions here in London, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me by calling 02031 516 830 or email me on info@directions-coaching.com.
