Oops, it's almost year end and I still need to...

Hey Friends,

Does that sound like you: "Oops, it's almost year end and I still need to ___________."

Many of us set out in 2009 to make this our year. We had dreams of doing big things with taglines, like: "Shine in '09" or "It's my time in '09," but this year has come and there are only a few more weeks left for us to shine in 2009.

Where are you with those goals you set out to achieve? If you look at your list and see that there are still many things to do, you may be suffering from a syndrome called: setting unrealistic expectations. But I want to quickly follow that with, it's okay, you'll do better next time.

But back to the unrealistic expecations: we often start out a new year full of momentum to conquer the world, but then we start slowing up and losing momentum and before you know it, we're all out of gas and left on empty to complete our goals. We know they are still there, because we spend the rest of the year worrying about not reaching them and kicking ourselves for aiming too high. Let me encourage you as you close out this year.

While you may have set high expectations for yourself, you surely had to have accomplished something, if not all things. Congratulate and commend yourself for getting those one or two things done! You did that!!! Now as you reflect on the year and look at what you still need to accomplish, ask yourself the following questions:

1) Is everything on my list still important to me?

2) What's a more realistic deadline for getting this task done?

3) What's the worst that could happen if I don't get it done?

4) How will I feel once I get it done?

When you answer that last question, you connect to the core reason why you are putting that item on the list. Sometimes we say we want to do things, but lack motivation to get them done. Usually that's because deep down, it really doesn't matter if we get it done or not, it's just one of those things we feel we need to do. But it's not that important to us, because otherwise we would have gotten it done.

As you plan out the rest of the year with Thanksgiving gatherings and Christmas celebrations, check your list twice and make sure that what's on your list, really matters to you. If not, give yourself permission to let those items go. You'll feel relieved, and you'll now have the room to plan for 2010...but remember the lesson your learned from 2009, and make sure your plans are realistic for you.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember, it's hard to be negative and thankful at the same time. Carry the spirit of Thanksgiving with you always and negative energy won't have a chance!

Be Encouraged and Be Blessed,

Coach Fon
www.fonjames.com