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I remember listening to an overseas speaker who mentioned that 747’s don’t have rear view mirrors. They don’t look back. Optimistic view with no way of learning from the past, don’t you think?

I find that I don’t like looking back when I have not learned a lesson. If I have learned a lesson, I find that looking back reminds me of an important lesson. Imagine if you signed a document that you shouldn’t have. Imagine if you forgot that you will adapt to all new possessions in a short time. They won’t bring endless joy. Just temporary joy. You know you won’t be eternally happy from a single purchase. If you look back and learn some lessons you have a better chance of an improved future. You don’t want to repeat the mistakes of 2003 in 2004. How about making some new mistakes in pursuit of exciting goals?

So...what lessons did you learn in 2003? What didn’t work for you? Why didn’t you achieve your goals? Why didn’t you set any? It is tempting to read the newspapers, watch TV or keep tidying your office instead of looking ahead and setting goals and clarifying your purpose. You have an opportunity early in the year to look back over the past twelve months and squeeze out the wisdom from your experiences. Certainly ‘no regrets’ is a great philosophy but it is very different from ‘I don’t want to learn from my past’.

What is holding you back from the success you deserve? If you are hanging on to the times you have been treated badly, make sure the perpetrator knows that you are hanging on. They probably don’t care which leaves you hanging on to nothing. Haven’t you ever deleted a document by accident? There is no point getting angry at the computer. The lesson is that you need to forgive yourself and type the document again while the data is fresh in your mind. Maybe save as you work. No regrets and a lesson learned.

How about right now writing down the lessons you learned in 2003. What did you do that you don’t want to do again? Maybe you are about to learn the same lessons again in 2004. What a waste of a year if you make the same mistakes! If the lesson is about not setting goals... write down some goals immediately. It’s your life. Take control.

Remember the categories.....physical, mental, financial, emotional, spiritual, material, philanthropic. Write anything to start. If you make a New Year’s Resolution, remember that it is difficult to start new habits. Keep going until the habits take root. You can’t fail. You simply keep going until the habits become permanent. Keeping fit, saving money, staying in touch with friends, improving your education, being generous. Why not give a goat to a family in Uganda? Have a look at http://www.tear.org.au. You could make the start to 2004 very enjoyable to someone less fortunate.

So... learn your lessons so you don’t repeat them and look forward to an exciting and expanding 2004.

Don’t forget that I have a CD on ‘How to make an excellent first impression’ if you want to improve your interpersonal skills. Just listening to this CD will help create a better first impression. You can order this CD immediately and improve your ability to make an excellent first impression by tomorrow.

If you want to attend a exciting public program on 18th Feb on “The art of influence”, you can enroll at “The Art of Influence - How To Get What You Want From Others Every Time”

Have a great start to 2004!

Paddy Spruce CSP.