If you’re like me, you’ve read a lot of lists, blogs, and advice columns telling you the things that you need to start doing in the year 2012. And while most of them are good, I’d be happy to leave some things behind in 2011.
So while you start some good things, I’m going to strive to stop these by leaving them behind.
- I’m leaving behind my disappointments in 2011. You have them. I have them. A lot of those disappointments come from people who promise to do things for us, prayers that go unanswered, and just a feeling that we didn’t get enough done. Goodbye to all the disappointments of the past 12 months.
- I’m leaving behind my guilt. If I’m honest, most of the things I didn’t get done last year are my fault. It’s not that I didn’t want to do more, accomplish more, love more, serve more, become more. It’s just that I didn’t do it. I have a ton of excuses and if you’ve got time, I can make you a list. But the truth is, I’m leaving the guilt I feel for not getting more done, in 2011.
- I’m leaving behind goals unaccomplished. I set goals. By that I mean, I write down quantities, dates, really hard stuff. For example, last year my goal was to run and ride 2,000 miles. I fell woefully short, something over 1500 miles both in running and riding my bike. That’s bad isn’t it? But, at least I did 1500 miles. How many did you do?
- I’m leaving behind old attitudes. 2012 is going to be a great year. But it won’t be if I carry the old attitudes, prejudices and assumptions. That means I’m going to exercise my mind, learn, grow, and change intellectually.
- I’m leaving behind my Lone Ranger ways. Do you have a list of people you’ve been meaning to take out to lunch, to get to know, to build a relationship, and somehow there’s always an excuse why you don’t? They’re busy, you’re busy, your schedules don’t mesh. I’m leaving all that behind in 2011, and I’m going to start doing something about it. As a matter of fact, before I wrote this Dave Rave, I called a friend and we’re scheduled in the morning to have coffee and catch up.
You probably have more things you can add to this list. Sit around with your family, your group, or your team and ask, “What are the things we’re going to leave in the past that will hinder us in the future?” Remember, there is no future in the past.