Turn the page

The New Year's countdown has begun, and as much as I hate to be trite, I am joining myriad pundits and commentators in expressing just how happy I am to move on the the new decade.

2009 was a hell of a year, right? Full of challenges and losses and transitions and victories, writ large and writ small. I can't help but think about the loved ones lost during the past twelve months, and over the past decade. One friend refers to the span of time between 1-1-2000 and 12-31-2009 as the "Aught-Oh's." I am feeling her on that.

However, I can't dismiss the amazing things I have seen and experienced in 2009. My country showed the world what is so unique about American democracy when it swore in an African American named Barack Hussein Obama as its 44th president. An airline pilot showed us the meaning of grace under pressure when he landed his disabled jet liner in the Hudson River.

And on a brilliant Sunday morning in May, I saw my son become a college graduate.

Of course, we know that the moments of triumph are just that -- moments; snapshots in time. Moments to cherish and celebrate, of course. And moments to help prepare us for whatever challenges are coming. 'Cause there's always another challenge coming.

And just like the triumphs provide the foundation to deal with the next challenge, the challenges can serve as the foundation to help reach the next triumph.

Lord knows this has been a year of challenge. A decade of challenge.

With a foundation like this, the next decade should be something great.

Best wishes for a fulfilling new year.

Resolutions

I've been thinking about the end of 2008 for a while. Truthfully, I've been looking forward to it.

It's been a year that's brought amazing events and celebrations, some that I've dreamed about and some beyond my imagination.

It's also brought enormous challenges and losses that continue to test me, my clients and those I love.

As I wrote in a previous post
(_http://presentperfectcoach.blogspot.com/2008/12/time-in-bottle.html_), 2008 is the longest year since 1992, thanks to the leap day of February 29 and the extra leap-second that will be added before midnight.

If ever a year needed to find a graceful conclusion, it's this one. At least IMHO.

I know I'll review 2008 and remember all its perfect moments and lessons. Later.

Right now I'm going to think about 2009.

I'm not much for resolutions and lists, but fortunately, media blogger Chris Brogan made a list of what NOT to do in 2009 that contains points of perfection (at least for the coach in me):

Stop waiting for something to come that will make everything better (if only).

And: Stop striving for perfection, and strive for execution instead.

He adds a few things that we all might add to our "To Do" lists:

Work on interesting projects that matter to you (and empower others to participate).

Discover your passions (and share them openly)

So in the spirit of the season, this gift: the Brogan lists:

http://www.chrisbrogan.com/12-things-to-stop-doing-in-2009/

Seems like a great foundation for 2009.

Happy New Year!