Over the last couple of weeks, I have had the opportunity to spend a generous amount of time with my two sisters—Michele and Jennifer. They are two of my best friends and absolutely hilarious. If you haven’t met them yet, I hope you do someday.
My sisters and I reunited for the holidays a bit earlier than expected this year to honor the life of my Aunt Charlotte Taylor, who passed away this month at the age of 81 years old. My aunt, my mom’s sister, was a regular visitor in the Leitner household while I was growing up, and we will miss her.
With the additional family time prior to this year’s holiday season, my sisters and I had quite a few discussions about our preparation for the year ahead. We discussed future goals, travel adventures, possible new purchases, new opportunities, financial planning, and much more. My sister Jennifer read me bios of individuals that inspire her and short motivational books that encourage her throughout the year.
Under the Christmas tree this year, Santa (yes, the Leitner sisters still believe in Santa, and next year we have placed three charming princes on Santa’s list) brought each of us motivational wall calendars, inspirational quote books, and more to inspire our future goodness and success.
As I work to fill in my wall calendar for 2016, the January motivational heading reads “Do Something Today That Your Future Self Will Thank You For.” I am left to ponder what I will do looking at that saying each day for 31 days in January. Will I stare at it for 31 days and not embrace the saying? Will I do something only once that month, or will I do something each day in January that my future self will thank me for? It will be up to me to decide.
As each year winds down, I spend quite a bit of time reflecting and gearing up for the year ahead. What went well? What didn’t go so well? I work hard to create a roadmap that allows me to plan and navigate the year ahead. Will I continue blogging throughout 2016? Yes! Will I continue my career as an executive assistant? Unless you know something I don’t know, the answer to that question is also, yes! This roadmap that I am creating will have unexpected turns and bumps along the way, but I will have a point of reference and will know the direction I am headed. This roadmap will also offer exciting destinations and reasons for celebration. I am excited for the new year to begin and cannot wait to see it unfold.
May your year ahead be filled with happiness, good health, fun adventures, success, and the strength to endure any unexpected challenges along the way. Happy New Year!
What a great idea going into the new year – “Do Something Today…” for our future selves. Thank you for the posting and for the encouragement throughout 2015. I am happy to be an administrative professional, too. Here’s hoping 2016 is the best year yet. Cheers!
Loved your post, Stacy. I want that calendar!! Thanks for sharing all year long. You do a great job and I always learn something. See you next year!
I love that question! I’m going to make a sign and post it at my desk not only at work but at home as well.
I, like you, have set my 2016 intentions for my goals. One of them is to be more creative. Thanks to the Catalyst Ranch (in Chicago), they sent me a “coloring book calendar” that I colored over the holiday weekend. Even as an adult, the pride in my creation gives me great joy! I am going to write in your declaration at the top to inspire me to invest in my future. Thanks!