Well, we're there. The year's almost over, and whether you say goodbye to it with a wistful, bittersweet smile, or let go with a sigh of mixed relief and sadness, when faced with a
brand new year to fill, by golly, one can't help but feel hope at the thought.
The past three articles deal with trying to see what you want to happen in your life in the next 12 months. Committing to
a year-end review gives you a solid record of events on which to base your major moves for the next year. Knowing
what you want to get out of your goals fuels you for the journey you're about to take, and examining
your general world-view helps you in the problem solving and anticipating stages.
The last article of the year deals with the aftermath of all that mental activity. The major points and their supporting details are in place, now it's time to look for the loopholes and think about how it can go awry. Think of it as planned last minute jitters.
In
Anticipation Versus Worry, we drew a thick line between the act of anticipating a problem, and worrying about it. Today will include a little exercise that only requires about 15-30 minutes at the most, then another revisit some time later. Ready?
You now have blanket permission to wring your hands, pull at an earlobe, and to execute whatever nervous tic you most feel comfortable with while worrying.
Before you do so, however, kindly have some different-colored pens and some clean sheets of paper handy, as well as the results from all the questions asked in the previous articles. Review those answers first, okay?
Done?
Go. Worry your little black heart out. Write all your mental mosquitoes down. Then leave the list in a safe place and sleep unencumbered with the weight of all those pestiferous black thoughts buzzing at you. Sweet dreams.
(Now pretend it's tomorrow).