It is that time of year again when we find ourselves saying things like “where did this year go?”; “I had such big plans for this year” or maybe even “the older I get the faster time goes.”  Well, whatever it is you are saying, I invite you to dig a little deeper and reflect a little more; to consciously complete this year.  
 
What is so important about completing the year?  It is about taking stock, being reflective, acknowledging yourself for your successes and consciously learning from your failures.  When you are an Expat, your personal and professional goals can sometimes get “put on hold” while you are busy adjusting to your new life.  Completing the year in this way shines the proverbial spot light on the significance of this year in your precious life.

Here are some questions to reflect on about this past year :
What was your greatest success in this year?
How did you celebrate it?
What did you learn about yourself from your success?
What was your greatest failure this year?
How did you acknowledge it?
What did you learn from it?
Overall, and from the perspective of your whole life, what was this year about for you?

Here are some questions to help begin your New Year :
What is your biggest dream or vision for the next year? (Make sure itstretches you and gets your heart pumping.)
Which of your values does it honor?
Who will you need to become (the type of person) to successfully accomplish your vision?
What are the beliefs or behaviors you will need to let go of to become that person?
What are the beliefs or behaviors that will assist you in achieving your vision?
What is one significant goal do you intend to accomplish in the new year?
What, from the perspective of your whole life, do you want this next year to be about for you?

And here are some actions you can take to help you be the leader in your life:
List the specific actions you will need to take to successfully initiate your journey towards your vision.
List the support you will need to keep the focus and make the changes required to accomplish your vision.

Copyright Pamela Mattsson. Reprinted with Permission.  Pamela Mattsson is an Expatriate Life Coach works with growth-oriented people who want to align their everyday lives with who they truly are.  Her specialty is helping her expatriate clients discover their passion, values and wildest wishes and challenging them to be THE leader in their own life no matter where in the world they are.   You can learn more about Pamela at www.passionatelifecoach.com