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This Year Upon Reflection

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • Dec 30, 2024
  • 2 min read


Time is relative and that is never more obvious than on New Year's Eve.  You might have your list of New Year's resolutions already to go on January 1, but they are forgotten by January 31.  This situation can be compounded if you are retired.  You are not in the resolution state of mind.  Then, in a blink, it is the end of another year. How did your year go?  Instead of making resolutions, try reflecting on this past year and discover how your year really went!

Even if you didn’t have a plan, here are some questions to help you recall what you did, or didn’t do.


·      Major Accomplishment: What was your biggest accomplishment this year?  What goal did you achieve that you’re most proud of?


·      Challenges and Growth: What was the most significant challenge you faced this year and how did you overcome it? What did you learn about yourself during this challenging time?


·      Personal Development: What new skills did you acquire or significantly improve upon this year?


·      Relationship Dynamics: How did your relationships with family and friends evolve this year?  Who made a significant positive impact on your life?


·      Positive Experiences: What was your favorite memory from this past year? What brought you the most joy?


·      Areas of Improvement: What are the areas where you feel you could have done better this year? What changes can you make to address these areas?


·      Gratitude: What are you most grateful for this year?


·      Self-Awareness: What did you learn about yourself this year?


·      Future Goals: What are your top priorities and goals for the coming year? What steps can you take to achieve them?


·      Time Management: How did you utilize your time this year? What could you have done differently to manage your time more effectively?


·      Biggest Surprises: What was the biggest surprise or unexpected event that happened this year?


·      Biggest Mistake: What was your biggest mistake this year, and what lesson did you learn from it?


These are general questions that can be tailored to your life.  Why go through this review?  As you get older it is so easy to fall into a routine that is just ‘routine’.  Your brain needs stimulation, mental challenges, novelty, exercise, fun, and the ability to grieve and learn resilience.  When your biggest statement at the end of the year is “Where did the year go?” then you have done your brain a disservice.  Reflect on these questions and honestly answer them.  You will have your bearings on where you are in your life.  Celebrate the accomplishments and think seriously about the challenges.  It will increase your life satisfaction and give you a sense of fulfillment.  The goals for the New Year will then have meaning and give you the promise of a Happy New Year!

 

 
 
 

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March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

 

What Is Happening in April?

The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

Enjoy your April.

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