2010!

Hogmanay

Having a Scottish father (and now a Scottish husband) Hogmanay, or New Year’s Eve, has always been a significant time in my life. Apart from when a tiny baby I cannot remember a time when I haven’t stayed up to see the new year in, and tonight will be no different.

In our household it was always a time of great celebration and partying with family, more so than Christmas. However, as a child I couldn’t understand why, when what was a clearly a fun time, would often be tinged with sadness as glasses were rasied to ‘absent friends’ at midnight.

Honouring the Past

It was only as I grew older that I began to appreciate this honouring of the past year and what had gone before; I still do it myself (and yes, I still have to wipe away a wee tear-it’s a family tradition! My Mum calls it ‘piping your eye!))

But  I also take time out to think about the year past in a positive light (Pollyanna is never far away!) and I hope you can find a little time to do the same. Whether the past year has been great, or not so great for you, it’s part of you and you will have grown and developed professionally and personally throughout it.

Reflect

What have you learned about yourself this year? What new skills have you acquired at work or at home, at leisure? Maybe a difficult economic climate has caused you to dig deep into your reserves and discover strengths you never knew you had? Maybe you have seen new qualities in your friends, in yourself? Perhaps you read something that touched you in a significant way or added to your knowledge? Maybe you started a new job or qualification?

Take time out to reflect on all the positives of 2009 and take that with you into 2010. Leave behind any old hurts where they belong- a new year is beginning with fresh opportunities for you!

Whatever success means to you – family, wealth, career, health, and happiness, go for it in 2010! Grab the new year with both hands, take the opportunities that present themselves and be the best you can!

Happy New Year!

Are YOU a Social Magnet?

If you have social magnetism you will be the person that always seems to get stopped by people asking for directions; the one people gravitate towards at parties. It plays a significant role in business too.

Research has shown that people with social magnetism exhibit body language and facial expressions that other people find attractive and inviting, like smiling, and eye contact.

However, the biggest indicator is the amount of ‘closed’ or ‘open’ body language used. The more open your body language (i.e. turning to face the other person, arms not defensively crossed) the more of a social magnet you are, and the more of a social magnet you are the more encounters you have.

And the more encounters you have with other people, the more opportunities come your way! This applies to all areas of your life, personal and professional, work, romance, friends and family.

Look around at your peer group. How many social magnets do you know? Are YOU a social magnet?

Be Inspired in 2010!

Natascha Barrymore is an ordinary yet extraordinary young woman whom I have the pleasure and great privilege to know.

I thought as the old year closes her story might inspire you to rise to your own personal challenges in 2010. She is someone who has really made a difference in the world; I think you’ll agree with me when you read her story.

Click here to read more, and do let me know of any one who has inspired you in 2009!

As the old year closes, reflect awhile.

“Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.” ~Unknown

Well, perhaps, but we can always change!

If you feel your resolutions are always a rehash of your previous ones, just take a few moments out to reflect upon your past year. What have been your highlights? Don’t dwell too long on what went wrong, but look again at what went right. And resolve to do more of the going right stuff and leave the not so good behind in 2009!

Surviving the Festivities! Tip 12

And finally, after reading all the tips, (and maybe in spite of all the tips!) remember that it is a time to enjoy, to celebrate, to set yourself up for the long cold winter months ahead. You can only do so much and there will come a point when enough has to be enough.

Resolve to enjoy whatever comes your way and take the maximum pleasure from all the festive period; enjoy the spiritual side if that is important to you, enjoy the Bacchanalian side  if that does it for you, and smile!

Please do share any of your own secrets and tips with us; I’d love to hear them!

Surviving the Festivities! Tip 11

Breathing is Good for You!

If you feel yourself getting a little het up or stressed, try out this very quick tension reliever:

1) Sit down

2) Close your eyes

3) Breathe out one longer breath than normal (count during a normal out breath then make this one a few counts longer- but don’t hyperventilate or make yourelf feel uncomfortable. that would be totally missing the point….)!

4) Breathe normally for a few breaths. Enjoy the sensation of resting your eyes.

5) Breathe out a longer breath again. This is having the effect of helping you take more air into your lungs and breathe more deeply without over breathing.

6) Repeat this twice more. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes.

7) Carry on as normal, but hopefully a little more refreshed!