frankly speaking

Reflections on 2011

2010 was not a good year for me. I’ll spare you the details, suffice to say that the year ended with a thud. My professional life was spiraling out of control fast, so fast in fact that it was beginning to affect my personal life. I was unsure of where I wanted to be and where I wanted to go.

What a difference a year makes.

I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on 2011 and specifically reviewing all of the professional and personal goals that I set out to attain. I can’t say that I checked every one of them off the list, but I came pretty damn close. I can say that at the end of this year, I’m heading in the exact opposite direction as I was heading in at the end of 2010.

So, what changed?

During the first few months of the year, I consciously rededicated my life to living up to ethics and morals that were taught to me while growing up, regardless of what it would cost me. I made some some changes in my personal life that resulted in unexpected positive outcomes in my professional life.

I know this post is pretty cryptic and it was kind of meant to be that way. The point of it is to say that when you focus on change, and most of all changing for the right reasons, it can result in positive things that you never thought possible.

I’m also trying to say that no matter where you are in life, you can always make a decision to change. Whether things are going well for you, or your back is up against the wall. You have the power to change. The outcomes that result will not always be favorable, but the key is to learn how you got to those outcomes and adjust as necessary.