Good-bye, 2015!
Hello, New Year! |
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Happy New Year from the Philippines! I've just spent the past week at MonteSol Beach (pictured below) with my husband, kids, and parents. In recent years, this trip between Christmas and New Year’s has become something of a holiday family tradition. It’s a great get-away with the added benefit of shielding me from the overly loud, smoky, and somewhat scary firecrackers that are inescapable in Manila on
New Year’s Eve.
You might be curious why the name of the beach, MonteSol, is noticeably similar to my own name. It’s not just a coincidence. Montesol is a combination of my dad’s surname (Soldwisch) and my mom’s family name (Monte de Ramos). In Spanish, it means mountain of the sun. My mom had the idea of combining the name when she bought the beach property as a retirement home years ago. I had the same idea when I
combined these names at the time of my marriage. MonteSol Beach is nothing fancy, just a tiny spot on the shore of a quiet fishing village in central Philippines. But it’s part of me wherever I go.
MonteSol Beach – or, more precisely, the lanai (patio) facing the ocean – is a place where I catch my breath, read novels (which I seldom do at any other time of year, as I mostly read books on leadership and coaching for fun!), write in my journal, and stare out at the sea. When I visit, I also swim in the ocean with my family, roast marshmallows to make s’mores with my kids, and visit my 99-year-old grandmother who lives nearby, in the town where my mom grew up. I also
take the opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed, and I welcome the new year (in a quiet way, without too many firecrackers, although even the local fisherfolk set off a few on the beach – the louder ones are made with bamboo and kerosene).
As I reflected on my 2015, the word that came to mind is: surprising. There have been unexpected professional opportunities, unplanned trips, unforeseen personal growth, unanticipated new friendships and connections and community. I can’t begin to guess what 2016 will bring…
How about you? What word(s) would you choose to describe your 2015? What are you hoping that the new year will bring you, professionally and personally?
As we bid farewell to 2015 and anticipate 2016, I am delighted to share the "end-of-year reflection worksheet" that I developed for my coaching clients and friends. I also use it myself. It's called "Three Steps to a Great New Year." Click here to access it. I update it every year, and I continue to find it to be
a helpful – and quick – process to reflect on the year that has passed, and plan for the year to come. It only takes about 30 to 90 minutes of your time (the duration depends on how in-depth you choose to be with it).
If you try this out, I would love to hear how this process works for you. Feel free to hit <reply> to this message or drop me an email at [email protected]. And if you find this worksheet useful, please feel free to share with friends, family, and colleagues.
I hope your 2016 is amazing -- joyful, meaningful, and impactful!
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Shana Montesol Johnson
I'm a certified executive/career/ leadership coach who helps global professionals to leverage their strengths in order to be happier at work, enhance their effectiveness as leaders, and amplify the impact of their work on their organizations and the world.
If we're not already connected, I'd love to connect with you:
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Have You Made Any New Year's Resolutions?
Did you know that if you've made any New Year's resolutions, it's best to keep quiet about them? I wrote about why in this blog post a few years ago -- click here to read it.
What's the Best Book You Read in 2015?
I've enjoyed asking friends this question at the end of the year. It has netted me many book recommendations, so my list for 2016 is off to a healthy start.
In thinking about the best book I read in the past year, I realized that I was woefully low on fiction (as mentioned earlier, I read nonfiction for fun!) so I will attempt to remedy that this year. (I capped off 2015 by reading my first-ever Neil Gaiman novel, "The Ocean at the End of the Lane," which I really enjoyed.
That said, the book that had the most impact on me in 2015 was not technically a book, but a 6-hour lecture series / audiobook that I listened to called "The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings of Authenticity, Connection, and Courage" by Brené Brown. Stepping into greater vulnerability, authenticity, and courage
created unexpected connections for me in 2015 as well as unforeseen personal growth (as I wrote about, in the piece to the left). I have this audio program, in part, to thank for sparking me towards that. If, like millions of people around the world, you have enjoyed Brené Brown's TED talks, I have a feeling you would like this audio program.
Are You Wondering "What's Next?" in Your Career or Life?
...then you may want to consider joining the "What's Next?" Group Coaching Program. You'll take stock of your strengths, values, priorities and goals, and move toward a strong, doable
action plan -- while meeting great like-minded people who are on the same path.
Past "What's Next?" group participants have reported program was empowering, confidence-boosting, and great value for money.
There has been interest in forming a new group in 2016, kicking off in February. We'll meet via Skype/phone (so you can participate from anywhere in the
world). Click here to sign up to receive further information.
For more information, visit
http://developmentcrossroads.com/whats-next/ or send me an email by replying to this message.
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