As we get ready to usher in a new year and new decade I myself have looked back at my successes and am pretty happy with all of the positive changes that have happened over the last 10 years. It seems that many changes happen quickly and even though there are a lot of processes in our life that are gradual the real life changing ones seem to happen on a single decision.
How has the last 10 years or last 1 year treated you? Are you happy with the changes?
Over the last 10 years I have bought a house, barely escaped going into bankruptcy and losing that house, had 2 wonderful kids, strengthened my marriage, had three jobs in one career path, started this blog, and bought another house, and I think I am fitter and the same that I was back in 2000. Pretty good times overall.
But these are just the headlines. Looking back I have a lot of heartache, lots of little victories and lots of little successes, all of those things that make a life full and complete. Having time to look back at 10 years as well as one puts a lot into perspective. Often a change that you make today can have lasting impact and often these changes have little impact, it is the long term execution that matters.
A few years ago I thought it would be a crazy idea to ride my crappy bike to work one day, I could cleanup and get changed in the washroom for work and get a bit of exercise. That led me to making decisions on where to live based on this lifestyle choice and hundreds of nice quiet rides to and from work which I truly loved. I can not do that these days because of the length of my commute but that one decision to ride to work was one of my greatest in the decade.
And now I want to look forward for both of us to see what the next year will bring for you and for me.
I have yet to make some big resolutions this year. Today I am at the point where over the last couple weeks I have reflected, looked at strengths and weaknesses, did a gut check on my values, and now am ready to enter a new phase of my life.
This new phase of my life and I am sure yours too may happen everyday but the ideas and plans and dreams that we have set today will be the rudder that will help us go in the direction that we want over the next 10 years.
If you do truly believe the crap about new years resolutions not working then you have to believe that you do not have the will and control to make changes in your life. Many people make changes every new years eve that changes their life while many more people choose to just let life and others lead them instead.
I choose to make plans and set resolutions not because it is a popular time or because it is expected of me but mostly because resolutions will remind me everyday of where I am and where I am going, all those little decisions everyday will be based on what is right and what I want to do with my life.
Will you do the same? Leave a comment below and we can all get a chance to let our hopes and dreams of the future out and get some help from others to lead us in that way.