What does the end of one year and the start of a new year bring up for you?

In the past I would be so hard on myself looking back at the previous year thinking "is this ALL I have achieved?!" And I would wake up on New Year's Day feeling anxious and overwhelmed with everything I wanted to do and achieve in the forthcoming year. If those feelings come up now (and they still do to a degree) I simply sit with them to bring me back into the present. And then I put them into perspective. 

Acknowledge that everything that happened to each of us in 2017 - the good, the bad and the ugly- was all perfect and unfolded exactly as it should to bring us to where we are today. 

Now it's time to shine the light on 2018. A new chapter in our story book of life, waiting for us to write on its blank pages with endless possibilities. 

To create a life that lights you up start by writing a list of how you want to spend your time in 2018. It can be as short or as long as you like but make sure the things on there are those things that really light you up. That's step 1. Stick the list somewhere prominent where you can see it every single day. Step 2 is to find ways to delegate or outsource or kick to the curb the tasks that absorb much of your time that DON'T fall into that list.

I spent some time doing this the last couple days to be absolutely crystal clear on how I want to spend my time adding the most value (to myself and my community) in 2018, acknowledging that some goals will realistically have to wait to 2019. Rome wasn't built in a day. And then I spent time delegating every single task that either I don't absolutely want to do or is not critical for me and me alone to do. 

The path called 2018 that lies ahead may at times be treacherous, undulating, monotonous, spectacular, exhilarating or smooth sailing. But whatever twists and turns it brings, enjoy every step of the journey. While our goals and dreams are dearly important to each of us, my goal is to inject a sense of play and lightness into HOW I execute them and how I respond to the curveballs that life throws at me, to keep the bigger picture in perspective.

Whatever 2018 brings for you, know that a journey of personal growth always brings you one step closer to a life of fulfilment. And if along your path you come to the realisation that you don't like where you're heading, it's ok to start over. You're the artist creating your masterpiece called Life. Make it as delicious as possible in every sense of the word!