With the holidays just around the corner, many of us are focused on shopping for gifts for family and friends. Decisions made on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the other no-name shopping days are often driven by “wish lists”. Perhaps you’ve made a wish list to share with those who may be gifting you this year.
Here’s a challenge for you. Make a list of gifts to give to yourself. Now, I don’t mean material gifts that can be purchased at the mall or online — not an IPad, a new coat, golf clubs, fuzzy house shoes, or a plasma TV. What I’m talking about are gifts that only you can give to yourself and which, in most cases, don’t cost much, if any, money. This list is important because the things you list could quite possibly make the coming year your best yet.
To get you started, I’ll share my list with you. This year I’m going to give myself:
- Knowledge
I want to continue to learn, stretch and grow.
- A challenge
Something to strive for, something slightly beyond my reach, something that will make me sweat.
- Good health
Only I can give myself this gift.
- A little “down time”
If I wait for someone else to give me this, it will never happen.
- Forgiveness
I’ve made mistakes; I’m sure I’ll make more, and I’m going to forgive myself.
- Courage
For moving forward and pushing on even when I’m afraid.
- Confidence
It has to come from me.
- A break
I’m going to stop being my worst critic.
- A compliment
Every day I’m going to acknowledge something that I did well.
- An optimistic outlook
My attitude, my perspective, my view of the world is up to me.
What’s on your list? What do you need and want that only you can give yourself? This could be the most important list you make and could possibly make the coming year your best yet.
I know that if I give myself what’s on my list, I’m guaranteed a lot of great days ahead.
Wishing you and those you love a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and the best of everything in the coming year.
