Palingenesis

Today is New Year’s Eve, and it’s right about now we take a little time to reflect on the past year. What you want to try and avoid doing is ruminating on the regrets. Whether you work for yourself or someone else, you’ve probably made a few mistakes. In your relationships (with your friends, parents, children or significant other), you’ve no doubt said something to hurt them or done something to disappoint them.  I’m no different, but read on to see my solution!

2010 has been a year of redemption for me. I have gone from, “nowhere to now here,” as one of my mentors puts it. With all the good faith, smart choices and momentum I have been able to build over the past twelve months, why would I sabotage that by thinking about my compunctions?

Today, on the last day of this decade I pledge palingenesis; a rebirth. I just had a very personal meeting with myself, where we (myself and I), decided to evaluate the past year and weigh some of the positive and negative actions, thoughts and results.

Now, although I don’t subscribe to regrets, per se, I did have to face the facts that I could have had a better year, and it was entirely up to me to produce a better outcome. The choice I made to is to let me go by the end of the day with a fairly reasonable severance package.

Now, I’ve taken a look at the likely candidates for replacement. The 2011 version of me is looking pretty good. He has a wealth of good faith built within the community. This Joey is more mature and has a track record of making good choices; much better than the last guy. The most appealing feature of this year’s model is the momentum he has coming in to the program. He has lots of fresh new ideas and connections to make them a reality.

I know at this point you may be thinking I’ve lost my marbles, but stick with me for one more paragraph.

My point, if you have not figured it out yet, is that you should all fire yourselves today and let all those old regrets, doubts and misgivings walk out with the 2010 version of you and tomorrow (Or Monday if you prefer) hire yourself back, but only the good parts. Evaluate what you want to take with you into the future, because the future is tomorrow. How are you going to start 2011?

A better question – how will you finish it?