Are you freaking out yet?

This is the time of year I usually start freaking out.

When I realize there are only 2 months left in the year. When I start thinking time is running out and I won’t get everything done I set out to do at the beginning of the year.

I suspect I’m not alone. If you can relate at all, read on.

So, here’s the thing. I set what are called “stretch goals” at the beginning of the year and when I take a deep breath and an honest look at what I have accomplished, I realize I have done quite a bit of what I set out to do.

You probably have too.

So, how do I get past the freaking out phase?

First, I close my eyes and take a deep breath in and exhale slowly. I repeat that 2 more times.

Next, I take out my current calendar/planner and set it next to the one I haven’t cracked open yet for next year. I don’t know about you, but for me there’s something almost magical about opening my new calendar/planner and writing in it for the first time.

Then I print out my morning routine which includes my personal and business vision statements and my goals I set at the beginning of the year.

Now I’m ready.

Starting with January, I go through the calendar pages and monthly reflections and, honestly, the accomplishments just start to fly off the pages. Isn’t that the truth though? We tend to focus on what’s lacking in our lives instead of remembering all we have to be grateful for.

One goal I’ve had for a couple of years is to create an online course based on my book “Your Next Chapter. Dream It. Design It. Live It.”  Last year, it didn’t get done, and until I did this “toward the end of the year” reflection, I could feel myself being led down the path of negativity by my ego.

Then, I remembered why that particular goal didn’t get done. I had accomplished so many other things. I wrote, published, and launched my book that was an Amazon best-seller in 2 competitive categories (number 8 in a category with Brené Brown and number 10 in a category with Matthew McConaughey).

I was finally able to visit family in Pennsylvania, achieved Level I and Level II Personal Empowerment Coach™ certifications, beta tested concepts in my book with some amazing women in preparation for developing my online course, ditched my relationship with a toxic homeowners association (but only after I had allowed them to eat up precious time and energy for 5 months), started a new direct sales business, finished Level I of my animal aromatherapy certification and am half-way through Level II, started my animal aromatherapy business, and was one of 7 selected to deliver an influencer talk at the Unstoppable Influence Summit in Boise.

Whew! It was a busy year; and, yes, I had accomplished a lot and had a lot to be grateful for.

I’m sharing this not to pat myself on the back, but to encourage you to go through this exercise toward the end of every year. Set aside some time. Start with 3 deep breaths, then start at the beginning of the year and reflect on all you’ve done. Your goals are no doubt different from mine. They may have been to take better care of your health, start an exercise routine, eat more healthy foods, visit your grandchildren and family more often, learn to play a musical instrument, get out those art supplies, or volunteer at the humane society.

It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you have some goals you can focus on because that is what gives you purpose in life. That’s something I learned when I retired and it’s something I’m finding out affects a lot of people when they retire. They need a purpose.

So, what have I been doing and will be doing over these next couple of months? I’m knee deep in developing my online course that I plan to launch early next year. I’ve laid a lot of groundwork (as my calendar/planners show). I’m really excited to bring it all together.

If you want on the wait list so you’re one of the first to know about the launch, click here. And, if you do go through this end-of-year exercise, head on over to the Contact section and tell me about it. I’d love to hear about all the awesome things you’re doing to live by design and on purpose.