In With The New – Quality Source Inc.

As we get ready to bid 2015 a final farewell, what’s been on your mind? Have you been reflecting on the past year? Was it a good year? Did you meet or exceed your goals, or did you fall a bit short? Maybe you met or exceeded your goals in one area of your life, but not in another? Are you guilty of the ultimate mistake … overreaching on your resolutions?

I know I’ve been doing some reflecting. 2015 has been quite a ride for me with many highs and lows. I experienced a lot of new challenges in my business and personal life, some of which I never saw coming. We can plan and make all kinds of resolutions, but are we doing enough to leave room for the unexpected. Are we leaving room for “growth?”

I don’t know about you, but I tend to stick to routine. For me, deviating from routine is a challenge. This isn’t always a good thing and can be quite frustrating for those around me, not to mention the reality of me getting in my own way. Something wonderful can crop up and I’m reluctant to “stretch” a bit to give it a chance. Shoot, sometimes I don’t even recognize the GIFTS that these challenges offer. My love of routine often goes beyond being disciplined. If I had to analyze myself, I’d say it probably stems from being raised in a very strict, Southern, military family. Kind of a triple whammy! Some might call it being “inflexible.” Ouch! The truth hurts! Time to make my own choices and quit falling back on what I think is expected of me.

So, my main focus for the coming year is to be more flexible, at least my version of flexible. We all have to start somewhere, right?! I’ve had some hard lessons over the past year, as well as some good ones. You know the old saying about making lemonade out of lemons. I’m almost an expert! {{{{SMILES}}}}.

So how do we enter into a new year with “realistic” goals and expectations, keeping in mind that there’s more than ourselves to think about? Sometimes we have to make hard choices that may not be easy or popular, but are for the best in the end. Sometimes those choices will crop up when we least expect them. We can’t plan for everything (as much as I’d personally like to), but we sure can allow wiggle room for some redirection.

Let me share one very small example to put my thinking into perspective for you. For years I’ve had a “Quote of the Day” that goes out to anyone who chooses to subscribe. I hand pick the quotes and do them daily, Monday through Friday, and THAT hasn’t changed. But for YEARS I would do these on a daily basis in the same old format. Well, due to some personal and business growth this past year, I learned a few things that led me to make a change to the same old, ho-hum routine I had myself in. Now I have a system that allows me to be a little more creative, and lets me schedule the whole week of quotes all at one time. A bonus is that people can subscribe and unsubscribe themselves without any extra work on my part. YAY! Yes, there was a learning curve and I found myself frustrated with the extra time it took to get educated and set up the new system. But in the end, it’s a HUGE time-saver and I’m so happy with the results. Score one for Debra. VICTORY!

I had been cruising along in my comfort zone for so long. There was nothing wrong with my old way of doing things, but I hadn’t been as good as I could be. I hadn’t been “evolving” to meet the needs of my audience, which has really been my goal all along. I didn’t know that I didn’t know, if you know what I mean. That’s my point! Are you “evolving,” or are you “stuck?” Doing what’s “easiest” because it’s “familiar” can easily keep us “stuck.” I look back now and think, “ICK!” I absolutely have more changes I need to make, but at least I’m gaining on it. Watch out world, here I come!

CONCLUSION: Here’s my challenge to you. Just make ONE resolution … stretch beyond your comfort zone! That’s it. If you can promise yourself that, one thing will lead to another and before you know it, your life will evolve in so many fulfilling ways. Will it be uncomfortable? More than likely, yes! But, will it be rewarding in the end? That would also be a yes! You might not always be successful, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you STRETCH. Each time you do, you’ll learn something new about yourself which will ultimately make you happier. A happier you makes for a happier life for those around you too! That’s a good thing!

Do you have career or life questions?
If so, comment below and I’ll be happy to respond!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wish each and every one of you growth and continued success in the coming year.

Thanks for sharing your time with me and reading my BLOG!

Until next year, I offer my warmest regards…. Debra

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