Reflecting back on 2009

With the end of 2009 and the beginning of a New Year fast approaching, now is the time to reflect on 2009 and start looking ahead to 2010. 

This reflection ritual below is one I received from my friend and executivecoach Margarita Rozenfeld, founder of YES!Circle and Incite International, who I've worked with on and off over the past few years.  This ritual is a powerful exercise that can be applied to any and all aspects of your life. 

As an Ironman triathlete trying to survive the depressing doldrums of a cold and dark winter, I've found that the completing the ritual makes a huge difference in my attitude and motivation.  I also send this exercise to all the clients that I coach as well.

Here it is:

REFLECTING BACK ON 2009

This is a powerful exercise designed to put the current year in perspective and help you move forward into the New Year with loose ends firmly tied up. You will rediscover some wins that you forgot about, learn some things about yourself, and you may even be able to eliminate some energy drains and leave them in the dust as you move forward! 2010 is full of possibilities and potential just waiting for you!!! It's important to acknowledge and celebrate both the successes and the failures – they have probably shaped your life, work and perspective this year quite profoundly.

Let Go

• What were your biggest disappointments/losses/breakdowns?
• Where did you hold back or limit yourself?
• What are you now willing to let go of?

On a piece of paper list (or create a symbol that represents) all those disappointments, losses, limiting beliefs and non-empowering perspectives you are willing to leave in 2009. Take the list of what you'd like to rework, rethink or leave behind and symbolically burn, shred or tear it into the past.

Reflect & Celebrate

This is a chance to celebrate what you have achieved, created and become this year. Please don't gloss over these. "Little" things DO count, NO modesty is allowed! It's time to validate and take ownership of all that you have accomplished in 2009. There is a basic principle that whatever you appreciate and give thanks for will get even better.

• What were your biggest accomplishments/successes/breakthroughs in 2009?
• What were your major milestones?
• What are you most grateful for?
• What are you most proud of?
• Where did you find joy in delight?
• Where did you step into your power and greatness?
• What were your most important lessons / insights / aha's?
• What can use improvement – what do you need more/less/different?
• What has not been said that needs to be said?

For me personally, here are a few of my answers:

Let Go

My biggest disappointment and financial loss was my lakefront townhouse in Reston.  I bought at the market high in 2005 and held on as long as I could, but it has been a huge stress and financial drain.  I finally let it go this fall.

I limit myself by tending to focusing on what I've done poorly rather than what I've done well. 

I am willing to let go of my shortcomings and limiting self-judgments and to focus on my passions and better utilize my strengths, which according to StrengthFinder are: Strategic, Achiever, Learner, Responsibility and Relator.

Reflect & Celebrate

My biggest accomplishments and successes were the successes of my coaching clients across the board: Bill qualifying for Hawaii through the Beyer Project, Christiana crushing Roth with a 10:39, Dan and Tom both completing their first Ironman races, and Peter PR'ing in both Ironman's that he did to name just a few of their successes.

I am most proud of the Luray Triathlon races, which I started in 2006 in partnership with the Town of Luray, Set Up Events, Luray Downtown Initiative and the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce, and the impact they've had on the local community, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in Virginia.  More than half of the race participants in the first race had never been to Luray before.  Starting with 460 athletes the first year, I expect close to 2,000 athletes will race in either of the Luray Triathlons or the new Shenandoah Valley Sprint on June 5th.

I am most grateful for Krista.  She has been a source of light through the dark times and I cannot imagine being without her.  We do challenge each other but we also help each other grow. 

After the New Year, I'll post the looking forward process called "Your Best 2010" from Margarita.

Live life richly and boldly!

David

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David B. Glover
Triathlon Coach and Writer
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine: Fitting Iron Distance Training into Every Day Life

© 2009 David B. Glover

One Response to “Reflecting back on 2009”

1. Your Best 2010! | The Blog of David Glover says:

   January 8, 2010 at 3:12 pm

   [...] can be applied to any and all aspects of your life.  I covered the first part of the exercise, Reflecting Back on 2009, in an earlier blog post.  This second part is about achieving your best 2010 – which [...]