It’s time for End-of-Year reflection and rejuvenation in order to optimize our best potential for 2012. S.W.O.T analysis is a realistic way to set up your goals/ or 2012 ‘Resolutions’. S.W.O.T stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. As women, we are commonly more aware of our weaknesses than our strengths. Don’t worry, this first exercise is not a way to be arrogant, self absorbed, or selfish… YOU are definitely not that! But recognition of what you do well is the first step to understand the foundation you have to build on.
Looking back on 2011, list everything you did well…. (NO “Buts” I didn’t____). This is not the time to identify what didn’t happen or didn’t work.
For an example, here’s my S.strengths in 2011:
#1. I preplanned 2 major physical challenges- Faster half marathon (13.1 miles) and 5 Chin-ups
#2. I set up my schedule & commitments to achieve these- a) Early-registered for the Rock-N-Roll half, cleared my schedule to allow for long hours of practice runs, and found a friend to keep me accountable & practice with. b) I purchased a pull-up bar, made a public announcement, blogged about my chin-up goal for accountability, and I experimented with various placement of the bar which would remind me of my goal (now in my bathroom as a part of my morning regimen).
#3. I was organized and realistic about my 2011 goals and I had room to spontaneously add “26.2″ to my list of life accomplishments. Because I set doable but challenging goals, I had room for growth. Challenges can either break you or make you stronger… if you’re like a kid in a candy store when it comes to goals and Bucket Lists… too much can break you.
#4. Balanced. I segmented the board in 4 EQUAL parts: Family/Friends. Career/Finances, Spiritual/Personal, Physical/Health. I did not list a lifetime of achievements in 1 or 2 categories to accomplish all in one year. I knew this would lead to disappointment and emptiness. Who wants to be rich but sick or dieing? Or who wants to have plenty of spiritual, personal growth, & higher learning but be all alone without others to share life with?
#5. I said YES to what’s important and said “Sorry, not at this time” to others. I’m not saying NO because maybe later in another season of my life it may be possible. But there were definite NO’s to many negative options like: Cable TV, unproductive judgmental book clubs, bad ideas, negative people, & my own laziness to attend important positive gatherings.
#6. I didn’t wait on others (ie. husband, family, friends, or things) to live my life. I created my own 2011. I still ran a full marathon even though my partner dropped out. And I still go to church without my husband and he still fishes and roller skates without me. And I still practiced chin-ups although the percentage of women who do it are finite to those who think I’m crazy.
#7. I made less excuses and took more ownership of why my life is where it is today.
#8. I removed more “Can’ts”, tried new things, explored new adventures, and new thoughts. I now bake my own bread from scratch & have paddle board Lake Washington!
#9. I reach out to people more, made new friends, and doing better to stay in touch with those who are important to me.
#10. I allowed others to sharpen me. I surrounded myself with people who will speak the uncomfortable truth so that I won’t be robbed of my potential growth.
Challenge yourself to list 10. The first 1-6 is fairly easy, then the rest will take deeper thought. But when you’re done, you’ll have a positive view of yourself. If you are comfortable to share… I’d love to hear some of yours below!
Hope to see you at FitCamp Jan. 2nd for the $39 Jump Start New Year’s Sampler. Also, if you did Fit’mas Challenge #10 today, let us know!
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