The year is almost over! 2007 might have been the most exhilarating year of your life thus far or sadly it may have been one of the toughest and longest years yet. I think it’s time to celebrate no matter what happened in 2007, because I find that we are waaaaaay too hard on ourselves.

Could this be you?

 “I didn’t get that client. I didn’t get that raise. I was suppose to loose 15lbs by July! I’m still single! My garage is still a fiasco!”  Should I go on? Of course not, this is not supposed to be a depressing newsletter. LOL

Hey, don’t beat yourself up too much for what you didn’t do and don’t jump right ahead into planning 2008 either. Take a moment and really think about what you DID get accomplished.

You guessed it. It’s pen and pad time! Try this 30 minute exercise. 

It’s time to congratulate yourself for what you did accomplish! It can be as small as redecorating your home office or as huge as giving birth to a healthy baby.

Make a list of at least five things you can pat yourself on the back for accomplishing in 2007. Whoa! You’re on a roll and have more than five? Well, don’t let me stop you! This is your time to toot your own horn and brag away. Write about each item and describe what you did, how you did it, and maybe how you might have overcome some obstacles that were in the way.

Spend a few minutes just writing what comes from your heart. Now when you’re done, enjoy the natural high you just gave yourself! Notice how you might have been smiling as you wrote, how good it felt. Revel in the moment and always remember to celebrate yourself and be grateful for what you did do.

In this month’s Own Your Power newsletter, we’re going to feature a few folks who know how to celebrate and also take time for themselves! The holidays gives us all a great excuse to celebrate with friends and family, but what about those NOT SO OBVIOUS things that we forget to rejoice in, because we are so caught up in our own madness.

How many of you have hired a new team member and never took them to a “welcome to the team” lunch? How many of you have a business and NEVER HAD A LAUNCH PARTY, never had an anniversary party? Something you might think of as trivial or a hassle is definitely worth celebrating. Those are monumental things you put on your calendars to do next year! It doesn’t have to be a huge gala. It could be just 10 people at a lounge spending a couple of hours together. Remember, parties are great for socializing and networking, but also branding and cultivating new business. 

Enjoy!
Simone

How Do You Celebrate Yourself or Your Business?
Here’s what some members of The Give ‘n Take Network said…

 “As a busy entrepreneur, one of my favorite ways to celebrate myself is to ‘unplug’ and ‘go green.’  I retreat into natural, rustic and wild environments and receive the gifts of Mother Nature.  The feeling of the early morning air on my face and the sounds of the wild are centering and sobering…. A river walk (walking upstream, through an active river) is exhilarating and reconnects me with why I am so thankful.  Hiking up in the mountains is challenging and rejuvenating….  In each of these activities, regulating the breath is the journey, the meditation and the healing. I emerge clear-headed, open-hearted and vibrantly alive.”

 Cleaster Cotton ~ Artist, Photographer, Educator
http://homepage.mac.com/clecotton

“Before Susan Schemm and I started getting ANY business or obtained any real design clients, we threw ourselves a web launch party in February 2006. This was attended by over 80 well wishers and supporters. It gave us a boost and a level of confidence to move forward.

To celebrate our accomplishments this past year, both Susan and I went to the spa to get a massage and body wrap. This was a nice way for us to spend time together and take care of ourselves.”

Sherry B. Ways, IFDA, IDS Affliate
www.designschemeinteriors.com

“I honor myself with some combination of the following every month: massage, pedicure, manicure & facial at a salon or spa.

I also spend 30 minutes or more daily just spending time with myself.  No TV, no music, no distractions.  Just me with my thoughts.  I check in with myself to see if my vision has changed, if I am in alignment with it, or if there is something inside I need to address.  I tell myself daily how proud I am of me and that I am glad to know me.”
Rissa Long
http://rissalong.infoseekdirect.com/us/en/30day.dhtml

“On a daily basis, I celebrate myself each morning with a luxuriating bath for at least 40 minutes with just the sounds of silence…. It is my Hour of Power and if I do not take it at the beginning of my day, I risk getting caught up in the trappings of my daily life, where distractions of all sorts are abound. During this time, I make it a point to thank my “higher power” for allowing me to awaken to another day.

Barbara Swygert
barbaraswygert@vmdirect.com

“First thing in the morning before everyone awakes, I start my day off reading my daily meditation…. During the course of the day no matter the time and/or place when I’m really stressed, I close my eyes, put peppermint lotion on my hands, and breathe heavily. I’m truly looking forward to my birthday February 2nd because I celebrate the entire month.  I cut back on some of my work, my husband always plans a party for me, and my girlfriends plan something for me every weekend of the month.”
Trenell A. McCauley
www.handybusiness.net


Celebrate Your Success
Celebrate what you have achieved in 2007, so you can look forward to 2008! View this quick video
from Coach Mo (Monikah Ogando) as she gives you something to think about…

Go here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-biuvrmxlU!