Happy Belated New Year!

Well it is back to work after taking the last week and a half off. (Dec 21 - Jan 2) And, I have to admit, it was time well taken. 

I am ready to take on the New Year, 2008, the year of New Beginnings, and I am ready in large part because of the time I take off over the holidays.  So, I thought I would share with you why I take vacation at the end of the year and always will:

1. Tradition!: I can almost here the old man in Fiddler on the Roof singing those words now …TRADITION.  Ever since I graduated college I have taken the week of Christmas off, and there is no need to stop now because it always sling shots me into the new year ready to accomplish my goals, help others, and enjoy the holiday.Part of the time I spend in Quality Time with my wife and child, some of the time I spend in the mountains enjoying a face full of fresh powder, and some of the time I spend in preperation.  Nevertheless, it is a great tradition to have. 
2. Reflection: I am not going to lie, 2007 was a tough year for my family and me.  We faced many great challenges professionally and personally.  But, wisdom tells me that we will go through many trails in our lives and it is through those trials that we develop persistence and perseverance.  (This year a little more than others )

   John Maxwell, a prominent teacher on leadership and author tells us, “experience alone does not make you better, but only through evaluated experience do we grow.”

   Some of my trials were just life, and some of my trials were based on my own decisions.  During this time off, I spent some time thinking back over the year and reflecting on the highs and the lows, and looking for insight on how to improve in either case.  Evaluating my experience and thinking how to make the following year a good one? 

3. Quality Time: The holidays come but once a year, and, while I have heard it argued by many bloggers this holiday that they would rather work than spend time with family, I disagree.

   I will be the first to admit that my family and I do not always see eye to eye. I am the youngest in the family and many times, even though I am now a respectable adult with a family, I am still treated as such. In fact, most of the time we don’t get along, but that does not mean I love them any less.  And is no reason why we should forget spending time together.

   My wife, the wise woman that she is, told me this year that I could make the time with my family whatever I choose - good or bad.  She further explained that I could spend the day with them grumpy and upset over past hurts or I could spend the day removing our differences, focusing on our similarities, enjoying their presence, repairing and rebuilding relationships long overdue.  What a wise woman she is. 

   I also spend much needed time with my wife.  She is my best friend. During this holiday we spend our time enjoying one another, reflecting on our year, and making plans for the new year.

4. To Prepare: I have a great deal I want to accomplish this year, and one way of insuring I see it through is by setting goals.  These are not New Year’s resolutions. These are much more than that.

   My wife and I take time to establish Professional Goals, Personal Goals, and TeamWork Goals.  We can then encourage each other along the way.  Once I establish major goals, I create smaller markers that serve two purpose:

         1st - they help me track that I am moving towards that larger goal.

         2nd - they help keep me motivated.  I know I am most likely the only person who does this, but sometimes when I am not getting somewhere fast enough I have a tendency to want to quit.  However, establishing these smaller markers improve my motivation and help me leap frog to the next one. 

   Like this year, for instance, I plan to release another book. 

5. In Honor: I am a Christian, and the Christmas holiday is a time of year that I honor a man who walked the earth 2000 years ago, to accomplish one thing - He was an atonement for me.  During this time of year I honor his birth and the fact that he loved me so much he was willing to lay down his life for me. Everyone has differing beliefs and I respect their opinions, but for me this is a special time of year. 

The end of the year signifies a New Beginning, and while it would be easy to push through and work during this time, I use it to Reflect, Remember, and Prepare for the upcoming year.  I am very excited about what 2008 has to offer.  I wish each and every one of you a magnificent year.

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