FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
BY ROSLYN ROZBRUCH
Take a Look Back
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Before you look ahead at 2018, I say take a look
It’s a new year — have you made your resolutions yet? I’ve found most people don’t really write out a list of New Year’s resolutions. I sure don’t, although I’m always working at improving something in my life. But even if you’re like me, it’s natural to think about what you might want to change in the upcoming year. Losing weight and working out are the most common January resolutions, especially after a season of indulgence.
back and reflect on 2017.
before it’s printed. I can’t talk that way or I’d look like a crazy woman. I haven’t hit my goal of speaking before our group, or any other group for that matter, except for the people in Toastmasters and introducing Michael at our Success Summit in August. It’s uncomfortable for me to speak in front of people who aren’t my personal friends. One of my fears is that what I’m saying is going to be boring. Sometimes when I meet someone new, I talk fast and finish my thought before they can yawn. I wasn’t always this uneasy talking to people. It’s more like I’m out of my league. I’m not hanging around my usual group of people, and it’s uncomfortable. But, I’ve learned a lot this past year while going to Toastmasters. I like the people in the group, they like me, and no one has ever fallen asleep when I was up at the podium. I’m not sure when I will have the confidence to talk before a different group of people, but I will continue to work toward that goal. I know I’ve made progress this year, and I keep showing up to improve on this speaking thing.
Before you look ahead at 2018, I say take a look back and reflect on 2017. The end of the year is a perfect time for reflection and to think about not just what you haven’t accomplished, but what you’re most proud of accomplishing this past year. What wonderful surprises did you experience personally and professionally? What adversity did you come up against, and how did you handle it? What changes have you made, what risks did you take? Not every year in your life is going to be monumental. But I’d be hard-pressed to think nothing happened that you can look back upon and feel good about in the last year of your life. So, give yourself a moment to think about everything you’ve gone through, and congratulate yourself on any successes you had, challenges you overcame, or changes you made. Sometimes we are so busy looking toward the future, or so distracted in the moment, that we don’t take the time to see where we’ve been, and acknowledge our hard work or accomplishments. Let’s face it — when you set a goal and don’t hit the mark, there’s disappointment, and then the focus is on what didn’t happen, instead of on the fact that something happened. For example, I joined Toastmasters a little over a year ago for several reasons. One was to give a talk in front of the mastermind group Michael and I belong to and share something of value, because you’re supposed to contribute in our group. I am a writer and more comfortable behind the scenes. If I don’t like something I’ve written, I can cross it out 100 times and rewrite it
Overall, as I look back on my 2017, I would say it was amazing for the most part, and I can’t believe how fast
the year went. As you embark on 2018, think about what you’d like to accomplish in the year ahead. Remember to take a moment to look back at 2017 and congratulate yourself for all you’ve already accomplished.
–Roslyn Rozbruch
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