It’s almost February and maybe you feel great about how the year is shaping up. Maybe your goals have been set and you have reached a first milestone. Maybe you have planned your holidays, shopped the sales for the necessities and are sitting ready for a great Lenten season of listening and reflecting.

Or maybe not.

Maybe you struggle to get the things that are highest priority on the list done and never have time for the more important things (like planning time to rest and reflect, let alone resting and reflecting).* Maybe you have forgotten the big picture because what is looming in front of you is so big that you cannot see around it.* Or maybe you have lost your way in the mess and your values and plan are far away or forgotten.*

No worries.

Take a biiiiiiig breath and hold it and count. In for a count of 4, hold for a count of 5 and out for a count of 7. Do this a few times and think about something you are very grateful for. Maybe it’s you home, or your partner or your cat or dog, or you child. Maybe it’s an upcoming holiday or a pay increase that allows such things. But think of one thing and breathe.*

Then think about your big one thing* and refocus.

Then, if you are still frustrated with your life, you can talk to me (that is what the stars* are about).

Last night I did this very activity – I remembered what I was grateful for and what I think is most important in my life and peace overwhelmed me and I had a wonderful night of sleep. It is a “freebie” from me to you. When we are doing what is most important to us and everything is in line with our values and we remember to breathe and be grateful, we are more resilient AND we are successful. Success is not about what is in the bank (or not), where we go on holiday (or if we cannot); it is not even if we reach our Q1 (or Q2) goals; instead success is when we are in line with what is most important to us.

For the more spiritual of us, I have recently read two books I highly recommend: How to be (Un)Successful by Pete Portal and a book by Bishara Awad called Yet in the Dark Streets Shining: a Palestinian Story of Hope and Resilience in Bethlehem. For other book recommendations that are not as spiritual, you can contact me.

Have a very successful week, month and year!

Patricia Jehle                    patricia@jehle-coaching.com