In beginning to write this story early in the New Year 2010 I reflect upon a New Years Card I received 5 years ago from a great friend ,coach and colleague Kimberly McNally. (McNally and Associates)

Kimberly’s card asked 7 questions:

1. What was your greatest Learning this year?
2. How are you taking that learning into Actions?
3. What experiences produced the most joy for you?
4. Moving forward, what results do you want to produce this year?
5. What commitments are needed to say “YES” to what serves you and “no” to what doesn’t?
6. How can you generate more joy in your life this Year?
7. What’s one outrageous action you could take in the next 30 days?

My greatest Learning for the year has been that I again have an appreciation for the times/events/ approaches in my life when I have been able to keep the speed required in my professional and personal life in  to balance. I need to find ways to replenish my energy . The joy comes when you can generate the speed to go to the places you desire and yet maintain the stability by paying attention to your balance.  Another fact comes repeatedly into play is that No one else can replenish your energy for you. It is a SELF Care. I am the only one that balances my emotional and physical check book to be sure that deposits exceed the withdrawals .

Moving forward into 2010 the actions I am taking to achieve this goal is being sure that I maintain activity in my physical, emotional, intellectual , spiritual, economic bank accounts/ sections of life..

I find that I consciously need to make a list and have it available. So when I feel fatigue or anger or dissatisfaction I look upon that feeling as a call for help . The energy bank is empty. The withdrawal has exceeded the deposit of self care. Unless I take steps to make a energy deposit the outcome I desire will certainly NOT happen..

So in each category of have a handy list of suggestions that I know have worked in the past and are therefore potential remedies when I need it most…

I also keep an inventory of those things that do NOT work,.. ie. Extending the anger, whining, self pity etc.

Knowing what experiences produces the most joy for you calls upon me to take note WHEN I am happy/joyful, playful … In those moments it is important NOT take them for granted and document them as successful events that deserve to be repeated. Asking others to join you in those things I have found doubles the benefit! (A joy shared multiplies)

Results for this year: Learn ways to be more supportive of others in their self care. By having the emotional energy myself my capability and creditability to be a mentor to others is possible! I also want to add to my list of things that I know offer me joy and not deprive myself with rationalizations of ‘I don’t have time/ money/ etc!!”

In my professional and personal life saying “no” just for service to me is the most difficult. Being someone who experiences joy in positive constructive relationships  it is difficult to say ‘no’ .

I have been known to reflect on the spelling of my last name NO-YES.

No is more difficult but sometimes is certainly necessary to achieve balance in work and the joy home and family offer. To say NO without guilt seems vital. My inner kid keeps asking me to do more of that

Creating more Joy in 2010.. I have my Bucket List and an determined to visit and experience new events, places, people to address my need for intellectual simulation, physical health and emotional resilience.

Outrageous action: Each year I decide who are the top 3 people in the world who have a professional career or life style I either share or desire. I have and will make an effort to contact those people and find out what they are doing to sustain and enhance the attributes I admire. In doing say I will say Thank you to each for being a support to me. Remember to say Thank you to supportive people and influences in my life have always been a rewarding adventure!

Thanks to my dear friend and mentor Kimberly for this card. May it be of assistance to others in the reading audience!