Ten Things to Do Before Year End
We attach significance to the turning of the calendar, and when
the calendar turns to a new year, it means more than learning to
change a digit when we write a check - we've started a new
chapter. It is instructive for us to think about how we can
get the most from the end of chapter 2005. Here are my ten
recommendations for you:
Reconnect with an old friend or colleague. You know who I
mean. The person who came to your mind as you read that
sentence. Make the effort to call or contact them. But do more
than just say hello. If they live close, get together for a meal
or an evening. If they live further away, schedule time for a
long, relaxed phone call. However you connect, make sure that
you spend time on more than just "the good old days" and the old
stories. Learn about what this person is doing, their goals and
dreams. And see what you can do to help them achieve those
things.
Spend one day in service to others. Volunteer your day to
a service organization. Go to a nursing home. Rake the
neighbor's leaves. Use your professional skills in a pro bono
way. It doesn't matter what you do, just do it with a giving
heart.
Read one book you've wanted to read. If you are a big
reader, you already have a stack to read. Pick one and commit to
getting it read. If you read less and don't have a book in mind,
talk to someone you trust and admire and ask them for a
suggestion. It doesn't matter what the book is; pick it, and
read it.
Give someone a book that you have found personally
valuable. Maybe it is the book you are now going to read.
Maybe it is something you read in January, or maybe it is your
favorite children's book. Again, what the book is doesn't
matter, the joy comes in identifying a person who will enjoy and
benefit from it the way that you did. When you give them the
book, make sure you share with them why you are sharing it with
them - it will mean so much to them.
Make a list of the things you've learned this year.
Hopefully it is a long list! Don't try to do this all at one
time. Give yourself a place to write and a couple of days to
allow your mind to find these nuggets.
Identify the top five. Review the list you made and pull
out the five that are most important to you. Write them down and
think about why they are so valuable to you and how you can
benefit from them today and in the future.
Make a list of the most fun things you have done this
year. You will have fun making this list - and yes I do mean
make a list!
Identify why they were the most fun so you can do more of it
next year. This only makes sense. Once you have thought
about your "most fun", figure out how to get more of it into
your life - whether it is an experience, time with specific
people or whatever.
Commit to having another experience before December 31st that
you could add to your "most fun" list. Too often fun gets
sidelined, especially near the busy end of the year. Don't let
it happen. Make sure that you have some big fun before the end
of the year.
Make a list of things you want to learn next year. Some
things in life we learn serendipitously, and those are precious
indeed. But we can also determine what we want to learn and why.
Make some of those determinations now before you turn your
calendar to the New Year.
Some of these are forward-looking tasks, some retrospective.
That is intentional. It is important for us to consistently and
regularly reflect, and of course when we look to the future we
will see where we are going - and correct our course to get
where we want to go.
These items may feel more personal than professional. Actually
they are both. If you are reading this from a professional
development perspective, I urge you to do these items.
These actions will be like magic in your life. Your life will be
richer and more satisfying and you will be moving in the
direction of your potential when you do these things.