make 2012 my best year yet

At the beginning of the year I was finishing up at my job and preparing to interview for a course I wanted to do.

By April I had been accepted into the course and was three months into it. I often considered leaving the course, as it turned out to be highly technical, full of industry jargon that went over my head, and the teaching style was mainly tough and critical. I had not had an income apart from a few hours of casual work here and there, and many times I thought, “what situation have I put myself in?” But my classmates were really nice and supportive, and it just felt right to keep going, even though I couldn’t think of why. Also, the few places that I did casual work did provide me with the variety I had been lacking for so long. I also discovered I was quite good at making my funds go a long way and didn’t need to keep buying clothes or other expensive impulse buys.

By the end of June I had found a new job, just in the nick of time. I constantly had to reach into my pocket for school expenses and day to day living. I had stayed at my course and was halfway through the first year. I continued to have learning setbacks, and also some minor successes. I had found myself missing a lot of social events with friends so I could isolate myself and get my back to back assignments done on time.

By the end of September I had another birthday but was too busy to acknowledge it. A fortnight later I gathered up a large group of friends to celebrate. It had been so long since I’d seen some of them, that a few of them had walked straight past me, not recognising me as my hair colour had changed since I’d last seen them! I had been in my new job for a couple of months and trying to juggle learning the processes of my new job and and night school workload. I had also noticed that several people close in my life were suddenly not around. I had a dear friend move to the US, a best friend moved to the other side of the country, and several classmates had their various reasons for leaving the course.

By end of November I was finishing up my course for the year, found a new closeness with my classmates, and I could see all the hard work and perseverence was worthwhile. Although my skills aren’t where I want them to be, my mind has expanded to a point where I think I have learned more in the last 12 months than the last 5 years combined. I have also found my colleagues and work to be a great fit for my skills, and it is wonderful to work for a company that is inclusive and where I can see the results of my efforts making a difference.

Now it is mid December, and I have just reached the 6 month mark with my job. I’ve had a lot of really positive feedback, and it’s great to be in such an environment. My role will give me new experiences next year, and I’m excited to know that I have opportunity for more growth. I’m looking forward to resuming my studies, but also thankful for the festive season break :)The last 3 weeks I’ve been to quite a few social events and almost caught up on everything I missed earlier in the year!

If I could change anything in hindsight, maybe I would have had more fun and not take the year so seriously. But ultimately I’m proud of the way I treated this year. Dedicating time in growing my skills and knowledge is the best investment I could make for myself. I also feel that this year has been all about listening to my instinct, whether or not I understand why.

It’s powerful to know that my instincts are there to guide me and all I need to do is walk through the doors that my inner voice tells me to… :) With the foundations I’ve set this year, next year something tells me I’m really going to fly!

PS. Congrats to everyone on this goal, may you all have continued success with it :)

If I were to think of the years that I had the most fun, excitement and adventure, I can’t say this is it!

Last year I had lots of ‘magic moments’ and met lots of people. I’ve had other previous years filled with travel and synchronicity.

This year has brought me frustration, challenges finding work, and I have experienced rejection, criticism and judgement. I have had some of the people closest to me move interstate and overseas, seen a variety of different workplaces and doing assignments back to back for several months. I have had a feeling (which I think is something Virgos don’t much enjoy), that things are constantly changing, like the rug was being pulled from beneath my feet.

To let that last paragraph stand on its own, would sound like I have had one pretty unpleasant year. Not so. Through things that I have experienced, I’ve developed a much more resilient and less sensitive attitude. I’ve also been far less inclined to take onboard other people’s criticisms.

I was rejected for one job, then offered a better one. In previous years I would have let the first rejection overtake me so much that I wouldn’t have been open to the better opportunity.
I have felt constant pressure and confusion in my course, but some knowledge is starting to lock in now. I’m still not at the level I’d like to be now, but it’s great to know that I can see where I want my knowledge to be, and see the steps I can take to bridge it. Also, I have found myself with the most beautiful classmates I could imagine, and teachers I like, respect and trust. A bunch of people who seriously care about helping each other out. I’ve never quite had this experience in a class environment before. It’s awesome.

On a personal level I have met quite a lot of people in the last 12 months who I feel I’ve always known. 99% of my relationships are sublime, but I do have some things to work on. It was as recently as the last few weeks where I made some discoveries about my own personality and what I want to do in life, and the person I want to be.

This year helped teach me that I can be entirely responsible for my decisions, and remove blame or responsibility from other people. When I learned this it made me become more powerful.

I really feel like I can do anything. It is up to me to dream, plan and act!

If I take the meaning of this goal to be “make 2012 my most fun year yet”, I’m not quite feeling it :/! (...but the year is still young:) This was my original interpretation of the goal, but for the year to make the best positive impact on my life, then there’s another way I can look at it;

If I decide to interpret this goal as, “make 2012 the most meaningful, insightful year, rich with experiences and lessons learned”, it is certainly shaping up that way.

I have met a lot of people all ready this year, and made several new friends. I all ready thought I had a lot of friends, but my world has opened up even more. I have had so much support from family and friends in regards to my decision to leave my job and start new studies. I’ve had a lot of unprompted and unexpected shows of support, it’s been really touching.

My teacher from last year sent me a message asking if I was settling into my new course well, and to remember to contact her if I ever need help.

I found myself in some high pressure situations on the course I did in January. That experience showed me that I have come a long way in controlling my emotions. When I was younger I used to let myself be so swayed by emotions, like tree branches in the wind. Now not only am I much better at understanding my emotions and where they come from, I have been able to communicate more effectively with other people. I’ve also become more compassionate, more values driven and more eager to face challenges head on.

I’m finding my course extremely interesting, and the knowledge that I am gaining every day is going to make me look back at the end of this year and say, “yes, 2012 was no doubt, the Best Year Yet!”

I am still looking for more adventure, fun and laughter though! I want to laugh so much it hurts. Every day if possible :) Maybe I should set up a goal and invite my 43T to contribute jokes to make me laugh? :)

ps. Good luck again, to everyone sharing this goal :)

I’ve had so many messages, telling me it’s going to be my Best Year Yet. I usually expect Christmas cards to say something general like, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”. My neighbour gave me a card and it said,”may it be the best year of your life!” (I’d like to think best year to date rather than best year full stop;).

I’ve also had people around me say, “I hope you have the best year of your life! I have a feeling it’s your year!”

Even though I haven’t gone to Portmeirion or completed any major goals thirteen days into this year, I still feel I’m on a path that is absolutely shining.

This year more than ever, I am taking each day and owning it.

I’m happy to see several others have this goal too, and I’m looking forward to sharing news with my friends here on 43T, while also cheering them to get the best out of this year too :)