An Ending Leads to New Beginnings - Welcome 2008

I received an email from my boss this morning that made me really think. I decided to try and come up with my answers to these very personal questions. I had to dig deep on some of these, and be completely honest with myself. I hope I can do them justice. Even if you don’t feel the need to blog these questions and answers yourself, why not try answering them to yourself? You may be surprised at what you learn.

Completing 2007:

• What was your biggest triumph in 2007? Finally being able to work completely from home, for myself. This is something I’ve waited years to be able to do.
• What was the smartest decision you made in 2007? To quit DelMonte, and stop compromising my principles for a paycheck.
• What one word best sums up and describes your 2007 experience? Hectic!
• What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2007? It’s ok to not be “perfect”. No matter what work I have to do, it sometimes just has to wait. It’s ok if the house isn’t completely spotless, it’s ok if I am a day behind on work. Family is what is most important.
• What was the most loving service you performed in 2007? Helping to take care of my Dad after his leg was removed.
• What is your biggest piece of unfinished business in 2007? I still haven’t done a damn thing to work on my personal health, which I know affects every other aspect of my life. I HAVE to stop putting myself on the back burner.
• What are you most happy about completing in 2007? Taking the plunge and moving to a larger town/city, instead of the small hick town we lived in for years.
• Who were the three people that had the greatest impact on your life in 2007? My Dad. Chris. And… a friend who shall remain nameless. They know who they are.
• What was the biggest risk you took in 2007? It’s a tie, between leaving DelMonte, and moving.
• What was the biggest surprise in 2007? My “grandson” turned out to be a granddaughter!
• What important relationship improved the most in 2007? The one with my beautiful 18 year old, Ashley. Since she had her daughter, we are much closer again… not only as mother and daughter, but also as friends, adults and equals. It’s amazing, and I treasure it.
• What compliment would you liked to have received in 2007? “You are doing a hell of a job, thank you.” (from one specific person)
• What compliment would you liked to have given in 2007? “You have no idea how truly amazing you are on the inside, where it’s important.”. (to one specific person)
• What else do you need to do or say to be complete with 2007? I think I’m pretty satisfied overall with 2007. Sure, it wasn’t perfect. Sure, there were bad aspects to it. But if I go back and change any one thing… I won’t be who and what I am right this minute.

Creating 2008:

• What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2008? Being renewed for Microsoft MVP on April 1st for the third year.
• What advice would you like to give yourself in 2008? “Let the little things go… stop stressing over every tiny thing, and realize it doesn’t have to be perfect”.
• What is the major effort you are planning to improve your financial results in 2008? Find more avenues for myself and my writing talents.
• What would you be most happy about completing in 2008? I plan to have every site for Thunder-IT Inc. completely re-written and online.
• What major indulgence are you willing to experience in 2008? Ahhh, my week and a half in Seattle for the MVP convention. I plan to take several extra days to just relax and have fun.
• What would you most like to change about yourself in 2008? I need to focus more on myself, taking personal “me” time, and indulging myself occasionally. I have to step back and put ME first once in awhile.
• What are you looking forward to learning in 2008? I hope to take some classes at the local community college, to finish my degrees.
• What do you think your biggest risk will be in 2008? Letting go of my heart 100%
• What about your work are you most committed to changing and improving in 2008? I plan to branch out more, and take risks to do various types of duties for my current bosses.
• What is one as yet undeveloped talent you are willing to explore in 2008? Photography!
• What brings you the most joy and how are you going to do or have more of that in 2008? My daughters and granddaughter, and I plan to commit myself to taking more time to just BE with them.
• Who or what, other than yourself, are you most committed to loving and serving in 2008? That is personal, they know who they are.
• What one word would you like to have as your theme in 2008? Strength.

Happy 2008, everyone!