Christmas is a time for giving.   It is a time to reflect on the year that has passed and, more importantly, a time to consider what we want to achieve in 2012.

For me, 2011 has been a huge year.   I launched into my year as a heavily pregnant mum, with an already large family, managing a very busy business and renovating an old dilapidated house. 

But I knew the best was yet to come. 

In February, Anthony was born. In June we relocated Career Origin into commercial premises. In July we moved home and continued renovating. And in August and September we welcomed two new staff to the Career Origin team. While all this has been going on I have had many personal and family commitments to meet.....and before I have had time to breathe, I now find myself scrambling to organise Christmas. 

Some would say I have accomplished a lot. But behind the scenes there have been setbacks, challenges and mistakes made.

So, if I were to write a book it would be a ‘tell-all-tale’- the good, the bad and the ugly.

But if I were to write a resume, there wouldn’t be a hint of anything negative. The contents would be true and there would be no exaggeration. It would all be polished to read like I am a super-mum, like I have been playing a part in a sitcom. You know the type....not a hair out of place, not a bad word spoken. Each episode would finish off with everyone involved in the situation happy and relaxed, with dinner on the table and a message in the story.

In much the same way that I would write my resume, I will set goals for 2012. These goals won’t take into account the potential mistakes and the guaranteed setbacks. We never seem to think of these, do we? But in setting goals, we should always allow a bit of give and take. In hindsight, there are many things I didn’t achieve in 2011. But this doesn’t mean I was a failure. 

In 2012, I will set my sights high and if I achieve half of what I set out to achieve, I will be satisfied.

Setting goals is not intended to exhaust you but to give you something to work towards. Your goals could be stuck on a scrappy piece of paper on the shower wall, they could contain pictures, or they could be written in a notebook. Start by writing your wish list and then work backwards determining what is realistic and achievable. Break this list down into smaller milestones so you know you are working towards that goal. I encourage you to set your sights high, knowing that you won’t get it all. But in doing so, you will reach the end of 2012 reflecting and smiling. 

Here at Career Origin, we wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and a successful 2012 – whatever success may mean to you!

Yours sincerely,

 

Rebecca Stewart