How to measure your accomplishments this year!
As we roll into December a natural reaction for me, and possibly you, is, “Yikes, another year is almost over—what have I accomplished?” Both December and January are great times to take stock of all that you have done or learned over the last year. Rather than view accomplishments through a regular, cultural-type lens, such as getting a raise, buying a newer car, renovating your house or accumulating more stuff, let’s stop and examine other important accomplishments. Don’t get me wrong, these are all great accomplishments, but sometimes other endeavours go unexamined.
For example, maybe you helped someone this year. Did you participate in any volunteer work? Did you take a meal to a neighbour or give someone a ride somewhere? Maybe you had someone over for dinner or took them for coffee. Perhaps just simple time with a grandchild. These are small acts of kindness that don’t go unnoticed and lighten someone else’s load or provide someone else with happiness or joy. I would say, these are big accomplishments!
Learning is another accomplishment. I’m very impressed if you completed your PhD or your Nursing degree this year, but for those of us not on an academic stream, what about taking stock of all the small things you learned throughout the year. Perhaps you learned to tell the difference between a crow and a raven or you learned the best technique for finally growing cucumbers. Or you really challenged your brain and started learning a new language, musical instrument or sport.
In my line of work, naturally I think about health and accomplishments along these lines. Did I stop anything I know isn’t good for me. Did I create any new habits that enhance my health. Did I stop to think about what gives me the most pleasure and what impacts my mental health in a positive way. My wife bought a new “chuck-it” for our dogs this year and really started playing with them almost daily in the front yard. Surprisingly, this is one of the activities that gives her the most joy throughout the day. In addition to strengthening her arm muscles, she’s providing joy to our dogs and she’s spending time outdoors, breathing in fresh air and enjoying the natural environment around her. Learning what makes us happy can be this simple.
While technology can be very beneficial for our modern world, it can also suck the life out of us as we whittle hours away on Facebook or playing solitaire on our phones. It is never too late or too expensive to try to learn something new or to help someone out. I hope when you look back on 2018 and see all the good you created throughout the year, you feel a sense of deep accomplishment and are inspired to challenge yourself to keep it up throughout 2019!
Coast Chiropractic on Holidays
Dr. Carson will be on holidays over the Christmas season. The office will be closed from Monday, December 24 to Tuesday, January 8th. 