Monday Morning Coach Archives - Hit The Reset Button

Hit the "Reset" Button

If you’re like me (and pretty much everyone I know) the past month has gone by in a blur.  The holidays—filled with their myriad distractions—pull us out of our normal routines.  Things get set aside; left undone.  There is likely a list of projects, tasks, incomplete goals and other assorted undone items begging for attention right now.

The temptation is to go back to bed, pull the covers up and wait for the new year.  “Then,” we tell ourselves, “we’ll regroup and put a plan together.”  Well friends, I’m here today as that little voice whispering in your ear saying, “don’t wait.”  Hit the “reset” button and make the last few days of this month, year and decade count. 

I like the metaphor of hitting the reset button.  We humans are a lot like our computers when they start whirring non-productively, trying to shut down a program, run an operation or move on to the next task, yet are unable to do so.  Waiting and hoping, shuffling paper, creating more distractions are just more of the same and won’t get you where you want to go in 2009 or beyond!!

Start by taking some time today to ask yourself a few questions:

•  What “programs” in your life or business need to be closed out this week or year?
• What goals need to be re-examined, re-evaluated, maybe re-drawn or discarded because they're no longer aligned with your vision or values?
• What needs to be completed before you can move on to another task?
• What relationship needs to be addressed?
• What closet—literal or figurative—needs to be cleared out to make way for something new?
• What subscriptions or memberships have run their course?
• What personal health challenge or goal can you recommit to?
• What negative attitude or behavior pattern has you spinning in circles?  Is it time to reset and let it go?
• What would happen if you really put the “full court press” on achieving part or all of a goal that you’re close to completing?

Hitting the “reset” in your life likely means stepping back, taking time to reflect, asking yourself questions like those above and listening to your heart before looking at your calendar.   I don’t recommend that you try to “retrieve” lost time since trying to make up for what wasn’t done will only frustrate you. You can, however, set the intention to complete as much as possible—as much as is necessary—to bring 2009 to a powerful, positive close.  Doing so sets the stage for a positive opening for 2010, a new year and a whole new decade!!

This week hit the reset button.  Use the time remaining in 2009 to evaluate, complete, clear out and prepare for the clean slate that January brings.  There is a reason that the Roman god for the month of January (Janus-god of doors and gates) is depicted with two faces:  one looking backward, the other forward.  Use the last few hours of 2009 hitting the reset button so when the calendar page turns to that new month, day, year and decade you can welcome it with open arms!

 Happy New Year!