New Year, New Ideals, New Expectations. For some a hard line in time accompanied by a hard set of new years resolutions works like a coach giving them a good slap across the face. For many, including myself, we prefer to gain clarity on purposeful focus vs hard goals.

If you are a structured being with resolute goals, I can highly recommend Norman Bodeks' Harada Method. (http://www.pcspress.com/the-harada-method-book/).I've used the method for professional objectives, thinking through strategic options and planning operational deliveries. 

We're fluid beings so finding our own rhythm in the ocean is more important than being a being wave crashing up against some massive cliff of expectation. In our professional world as leaders, we’re subjected to hard expectations every day, and that's plenty enough thanks. Rather than listing New Year Resolutions with specific objectives and key results I took to the time to reflect on what continuous fulfilment means to me. The depth of feeling found in fulfilment is far greater than the temporary state of happiness and sadness. 

Taking the time to reflect on your wellbeing is essential preparation for engineering a new focus in the new year. It's also important that business leaders gain perspective away from the office so as to maintain a fresh mind and energised drive. As a business leader not growing personal fulfilment you increase the chance to negatively impact the relationships in your network. Not only does the stress build up but it can also impair your decision making leadership,  the productivity of your teams and the engagement in your business goals.

Fulfilment comes from a continuous cycle of engaging in activities you enjoy growing. Growth in areas you enjoy builds your self-esteem. Engaging in focused growth also brings your closer to your purpose. Along the way we all experience emotions of highs in happiness and struggles in stress. I've had my share last year! While we can't thwart off all the stress & struggles of life, it's important to regularly gain perspective away from the office, the team, the deadlines and look to our own personal fulfilment. Lao Tzu says it a bit more elegant than I;

If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself.

If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then  eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself.

Truly, the greatest gift you have to  give is that of your own self-transformation.

Fulfilling New Year!

Stephanie