With suggestions that the amount of wrapping paper used in the UK will be enough to cover the island of Guernsey, that there will be over £700 million unwanted gifts sent, over 2 billion cards posted around the world, for the environmentally and economically aware, we could be forgiven for not getting in to the spirit of Christmas.
However, the Christmas spirit is about love, giving and helping those in need. This is epitomised in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Whilst focusing on others is obviously the main goal, in my work as a life coach, business coach and executive coach, I’ve witnessed that if you do not also concentrate on giving to yourself too, you could give reluctantly and resentfully focus on others and/or eventually burn out.
You probably already know what you need to keep your candle flame alive, which by the way, will be unique to you. Everyone else, including me, can merely offer suggestions or guide you to listening to your intuition and acting upon it. The question is whether you actually do the things that light you up. The festive season is the perfect time to stop and think and make time for those things. Refrain from feeling obliged to attend another event just because you feel that you “have to” – or else something bad may happen.
Your Actionable Tip: Reflective questions
Therefore, this month’s Brighter Thinking Tip features some different questions to help you reflect (find previous questions on brain-friendly reflection and gratitude in previous December tips here).
Find your favourite, relaxing and inspiring place to think and enjoy taking time out to consider December and the past twelve months. Do this first – before thinking about the year ahead… Here are 9 questions to get started:
What am I most grateful for this month?
What is a recent act of kindness that I witnessed or experienced?
What is my perfect December day like?
List 3 people who positively influenced my life this year. What are the reasons that I’m thankful for them?
How would you describe this year in a sound and/or a colour?
What is my most treasured memory from the past twelve months?
What will bring me the most peace and joy this festive season?
How do I want to remember this December, and what will make it special?
What gift would I like to give myself?
Ask these questions to yourself, have someone else pose them to you, either out loud, or by writing or drawing in a journal, or even recording a video or audio (i.e. whatever way suits your learning and communication preference). Enjoy a moment to appreciate your growth and reflect on what matters most. Consider how you can prepare for an amazing and fulfilling new year.
And, if you have an inkling that having someone to cheer you on, bolster your confidence, ask you the hard questions, keep you motivated and accountable, help you to achieve more and faster and rewire your brain will be useful for you next year, don’t wait until January to ask me…
Have you lost your mojo?
Are you at a crossroads in your life / career?
Benefit from my bold challenge, support and accountability (whilst enjoying the process!): ask for help now so that you can get clarity quickly, get moving and get unstuck.
You WILL move forward to achieve your goals faster and with zero stress!
Book a 30 minute online video chat with me to discuss how things are for you right now and what you would love to change.
Fill in the easy Let’s Talk form.