Reflect & Celebrate Personal Growth
You can feel it in the air, can’t you? This season just feels special, whether or not you observe any year-end holidays. The typical "holiday" feelings can vary widely, from the joy of spiritual renewal or time with family and friends, to the stress of getting it all done before a vacation or meeting all the cultural expectations the season puts on you.
For me, this time of year is a reminder to pause and take stock. Amidst everything going on, and before January hits and the race begins again, I see an opportunity to be intentional about my growth. In this month’s post, I’d like to share a framework I use that may be helpful for you. The framework is, "Pause, Reflect, Learn, and Celebrate."
Pause
On one level, “pause” can mean taking a break from work, but not everyone has that flexibility. Even for those who do take time off work, there’s no guarantee they will pause during that time. I’m using the word “pause” to refer to something you do in the moment. It’s something you can do in any moment, even in the midst of chaos. If you are lucky to have time off, you can string many moments of pause together. To pause in the present moment is simply to “be present.” This holiday season, endeavor to pause and be present.
Reflect
When you are present, you can reflect. When you are juggling tasks, working fast, ruminating over the past, or worrying about the future, it’s impossible to reflect. Be present first, and then reflect.
Reflect on questions such as: What’s here now? What do you feel, right now? Then broaden your perspective: What’s led you to this moment? How have you been spending your time? How have you been thinking, feeling, and behaving this year? And what has been the impact on you of how you’ve been spending your time? By reflecting on these questions, you generate insight within yourself, which can be a source of learning.
Learn
Personal growth is a process of gaining insight into yourself and incorporating that insight into your self-concept and into the way you show up in the world. It requires intention to translate insight into action. Holding your self-insight(s) in mind, ask yourself: What do you want to do differently? How do you want to be different? Keep this simple. It’s not a checklist. It’s one or two ideas that you want to grow within yourself.
Celebrate
Finally, celebrate. Skip any self-judgement or grading of your efforts. Learn from your life experience and move forward. Recharge your batteries, however you do that, whether it’s partying on New Year’s Eve, or getting under the cozy covers at 8pm and giving yourself a luxuriously long sleep. Give yourself all the appreciation you deserve for showing up and being the awesome, talented human being that you are. Find joy. Create joy! Be joyful!
You can pause, reflect, learn, and celebrate your life any time of year, under any circumstances, no matter how you’re feeling. The end of a calendar year is a great reminder to do so.
I hope you embrace the moment to care for yourself, and I wish you a joyous holiday season kand growth-filled New Year!
Mike Caracalas
Professional Executive Coach
michael.caracalas@utsouthwestern.edu
About the Author
Before becoming a professional coach with his own Leadership Coaching firm, Mike Caracalas worked for Sun Microsystems and YUM! Brands in training, HR, and leadership development. He holds a B.A. in psychology, M.A. in organizational psychology, CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach), and PCC (Professional Certified Coach).