Prepare for the New Year

"Winter is a season of recovery and preparation." Paul Theroux - American travel writer and novelist

It's that time of year again. many of us are shopping madly for holiday gifts; some of us are making green-non consumption choices. End of the year financials are looming as is the tax man. In the rush of party season, with Secret Santa obligations, stilted networking events and intense family dinners, it can be hard to remember the natural purpose of winter.Time to reflect, recover and regroup is a basic requirement for much of nature, the human psyche and business. Long mid winter nights are the perfect time to ask if you are prepared for the coming year.

Take some time during the dark and cold time of winter to cultivate patience. You are guaranteed to need it in the new year, especially when it comes to technology. Technology, particularly software, is always morphing, usually right after you become sure and comfortable with a particular version. Here Barbara Schmidt outlines four ways to develop patience https://barbschmidt.com/4-steps-for-cultivating-patience/

While a healthy dose of patience is a great way to prepare for the inevitable changes that will bombard all of us in the upcoming year, we also can use the natural slow down of winter to recover. One of my personal favorite recovery activities is to watch Ted Talks with my morning tea.

Two of my favorites for quiet contemplative winter days are Brene' Brown's Listening to shame: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame?language=en and Sarah Lewis' Embrace the near win: https://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_lewis_embrace_the_near_win?language=en The lighter schedule of the winter holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to indulge in reflection and introspection.

Of course none of this preparation matters if we don't actually DO something with our new found insights and energy. To that end, an action plan may serve better than a laundry list of New Year's resolutions. Making a series of small lifestyle or business strategy changes can be much more effective than falling in love with grandiose "big hairy audacious goals" as some experts advise. Instead focus on creating tiny triumphs each day that will fuel your confidence and leave you with the energy to rise up the next day and do it again.