This is question #5 of the Year End Countdown Challenge held in Dec 2012, where we count down to the new year with 13 reflective questions. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.
Welcome to Day 9 of the 2013 Countdown Challenge! :D
2013 Countdown, Question #5…
Questions for the 13-day, 13-question countdown so far:
- #13: How has your year of 2012 been? | 179 Comments | Post Your Response
- #12: What are 12 things you love about year 2012? | 121 Comments | Post Your Response
- #11: What were your lowest points this year? Why? | 133 Comments | Post Your Response
- #10: What lessons have you learned from those low points? | 85 Comments | Post Your Response
- #9: What could you have done better this year? (Be honest with yourself) | 65 Comments | Post Your Response
- #8: What can you do to ensure you don’t repeat the same behaviors in 2013? | 43 Comments | Post Your Response
- #7: What are you most grateful for in 2012? | 39 Comments | Post Your Response
- #6: What are your biggest accomplishments this year? | 16 Comments | Post Your Response
Today’s question, question #5, is:
What lessons have you gained in 2012?
Your Task
- Reflect and answer today’s question. There’s no word limit – whether minimum or maximum. Write as few or as many words as you want. It’s all up to what you want to express!
- Share your answer. After you are done writing, copy and paste your answer in the comments area and post it there.
- Check out other participants’ answers. Other participants will be sharing their answers too, so feel free to read and reply to their answers.
Look forward to reading your answers! :)
(After you are done, proceed to #4: What are your biggest goals for 2013?)
(Images: Field, Girl by the sea)
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I think there are a lot of repeating themes to this one.
1. Being myself. (Sticking to my values, even if they are not a value that someone else agrees with)
2. Live life unconditionally.
3. Learn from the past, and let it go. Enjoy the present. And plan for the future.
4. Never say I’m sorry for something that brings you joy/happiness.
Lessons I’ve learned in 2012:
1. Keep thinking positive thoughts and good things will come your way through the law of attraction! :)
2. Feel the fear and do it anyway, if you don’t you’ll lose lots of great experiences and you’ll regret it in the long run.
3. Always smile and be nice to everyone even if they are not nice to you, it could be that they are having a bad day and just need someone to make it brighter.
4. Be who you truly are, there’s no point in being who you are not.
5. Life’s too short to take it seriously, have fun with it!! :)
I’m inspired to do most of the lessons you have learned for this year especially on the smiling part :)
Just because you forgive someone does not mean that you have to let them back into your lives. I kept getting burned by people in the past that did not respect me or used me because I thought that I had to interact with them somehow in order to heal through forgiveness. If someone keeps repeating the same hurtful behavior and talking to them does not change anything it is best to let them go with love!
1) The key to success is having no doubts at all
2) Materials come and go but friends/family and love stay
3) Brushing your teeth every day is really important!!
4) Open your heart to your family. Don’t be afraid
5) Schedules make wonders
6) The saying “Early bird gets the worm” is true
7) What you see is what you get (Ex. If I see friends I get friends. If I see enemies I get enemies)
8) Exercise/Sports can be fun
9) Waking up early is the most important thing for goals to work
10) Trust love, not be so perfectionist and simply see where it will lead
11) Everybody has their own reasons and their own problems for being how they are. That’s why who I am to judge?
12) Recreation/Fun is equally important as working
13) Being kind is beautiful
14) Going to the support groups at the Church ain’t that bad
15) Stand up for what I believe in and do what I like
16) That I’m not ugly. When I decided to be the real me around guys many of them found me attractive because I was ‘unique’ according to them.
17) Saying no really is a sense of freedom
18) That my mom loves me and I do matter a lot to my family.
19) That I shouldn’t underestimate my talents
20) That no matter how low I fall I always stand up again and pretty quickly too
I have learned:
– You have to trust your gut feelings and be true to yourself
– Honesty is best in all things
– Giving feedback works only when it comes from a place of caring
– Not everyone who professes to be your friend really is
– That you can’t please all the people all of the time – (an oldie but a goody. I have to keep re-learning not to be a “perpetual people pleaser”)
– Sometimes you have to strike out on a new course on your own if you are to make progress
– This is ALWAYS scary but usually worthwhile if no 1 above is true
Most of these lessons were gained throughout the last few years, after close examination of my life, my habits and what I want for my future. Nothing seems to stand out as just being gained this year, accept for my previously mention lesson on being alone (I guess the most important thing that I learned from my low points, is that it really is okay to be by yourself. From # 10)
1. That it is okay not let others bring you down. That it is okay to separate yourself from these people, at least somewhat, even if you are related to them.
2. That, while you may be the kind of person who will help someone out without making them feel bad about a situation… not everyone is so kind. But that I can work through issues with these people from within myself so that I do not feel hatred toward them… even if I cannot truly respect them due to the way they treat people. I can tolerate them in low doses, and get along with them better if I do not hang out with them every single. (By them, I really mean 1 particular person that I have learned to tolerate.)
3. That, as long as I keep working toward my ultimate goals, I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
4. The hardest lesson that I have learned is that I cannot help everyone. I cannot make everyone’s life better. But I can work hard to make my life better, and I can be here when someone needs me.
There are many lessons to be gained from 2012 journey.
1) Look at things positively and do more appreciation, even when life is against you. I have learned to think this way when I lost my ability to walk for the 1st 3 months even life is tough.
2) Strive to do better than before and learn to apply things more effectively (planning and strong execution is a key)
3) Do innovation with willpower when things are tough
4) Work hard on achieving your bucket list and (reward yourself for it).
5) Build strong leverage channels and support network to help you if needed.
6) Plan and Take action now. The day/week/month/year will pass quicker than you think Thanks for sharing of this quote from Matt.
7) Prepare to do tough and ruthless decisions if necessary, and be objective with end result. There are times business challenges came as reason of lack of support from others, things not going right in market environment or simply you do not understand your environment and business model, hence change must be quick and swift to ensure minimal damage.
8) Have stronger accountability to myself and partner, several relationships this year did not go right as result of mismatching of accountability and neither party wanted to take full responsibility, which I have recognized and work on clearer process to ensure similar problem do not arise again in 2013.
I think this is my biggest learning point for 2012.
I miss out steps or add steps to complete tasks – I have been doing this unconsciously for too long. I finally realised thanks to Celes, each goal has a series of correct steps to reach it. It is like a maths formula a + b = g for example.
By planning, reviewing and following the correct series of steps I will arrive at my goals. Celes has summarised excellent ideas to reach a lot of goals that we all want in her Manifesto series which break down the steps into manageable moves.
Try to See the best in people
Forgive people for your own sake
Children need boundaries and consistency
Use difficult passwords
I am an introvert and INFP which explains a lot, no need to feel bad about it.
My main barrier to achieving my goals is my inability to organise myself and my thoughts.
You can synthesise happiness.
Life is short, the time is now and the place is here.
Writing things down really helps me process my feelings.
I feel a million times better when I exercise and follow a paleo diet.
I will never be able to share all my deepest feelings with people and that’s why I need to channel them through creative work.
Allocate time to important tasks instead of just making really long lists.
There are advantages to being an introvert, even in social situations.
Being calm and softly spoken is a good thing, you can still get your point across.
Families fall apart if you don’t make an effort.
You can love someone but it doesn’t mean they are right for you.
You need to figure out your own truth about what happened in a relationship, even if you don’t share it.
Money isn’t everything
Not to be seduced by quick cash and flashy, outward success, it’s not what I really want or need.
I don’t much enjoy leading or being led, I prefer to work alone.
Lessons I have gained from 2012 is to not let anyone make me feel bad about being me. To not procrastinate as much. I learned to enjoy little moments. I have learned I need to save money instead of trying to spend it all and that had become a habit due to a bad habit I’m recovering from. I have learned to let little things go, especially the ones I cannot change. I have learned to give myself a break sometimes. I’m harder on myself than anyone else is.
What lessons have I gained in 2012?
– I only have so much time in the day. I must maximize the available time I do have and focus it on my biggest opportunity.
– Building supportive habits/rituals is one of the best way to becoming productive in my goals.
– A rigorous workout and a healthy breakfast in the morning goes a long way to helping me to feel good all day.
– Take action now. The day/week/month/year will pass quicker than you think.
– When working take time to sit with good posture and breathe fully. Slouching drains my energy and also affects my mood.
– My self esteem does not have to be defined by outside circumstances. Those things don’t matter. Look inside and get your self esteem from your life purpose, virtues, and positive traits.
I learned a big lesson in trust this year. Who to and not to count on during rough times. It is difficult to know fully who is on your side. I learned how to believe in myself again, and how to have confidence that I can do anything. That was taught as recent as this week at work when I line produced my first newscast totally solo in over a year. I learned that true love and devotion can come from four legs, where fake people no matter what is said walk on two. I learned that respect lives in all of us, and must be given to everyone. But most of all I have learned that starting over is tough but sometimes has to be done.
This year is the year that has been up and down, but from be a PE reader, I have learned to ask what I want and action to get what I what. Special thanks to Celes for the e-book on how to achieve all goals. To achieve success, I have to set a goal and take action. Leny
1) Procrastination just isn’t worth it. Do it now.
2) Less is more.
3) Do the work.
4) You are stronger than you think.
5) Don’t wait. Make your own opportunities.
6) Put yourself out there.
7) Talk to people.
8) Have confidence in your abilities.
9) True love is a beautiful thing.
I like Number 5.
Thanks :)
Yeah, I really should have moved forward this year in some aspects, instead of waiting around for stuff to happen. I’m on the right track at the moment, but I really could have been so much further along if I hadn’t waited for something that in the end never happened anyway.
And good things may come to those who wait, but if you put yourself out there and move forward you can make good things come to you as well.
Lessons I gained in 2012
*Do not react suddenly, the situation can be far more different from what it seems like
*Do not be afraid of fear, go for it
*Procastination is more stressfull than just doing waht you procastinate
*People will value you only if you value yourself
*You get what you think of regularly
*If you don’t dream, you don’t achieve
First four are spot on!
Hopeless romantics will probably disagree with the 5th ;)
I need to be patient, but also be true to myself. I need to take care of myself. Don’t let someone treat me badly.
Happiness is a choice :dance:
I am awesome and don’t need anyone to tell me that :cool:
Other people are awesome too and have their stories to tell. Sometimes they do, sometimes they keep it to themselves. Either way is fine :hug:
I should not always assume the worst if people don’t talk to me for a while or even seem to be ignoring me. They may be going through rough times so I should be understanding :love: (and if they were to be truly ignoring me, they wouldn’t be worth worrying about anyway!!)
good idea. Do not care much.
Few lessons which i say i have learned are :
1. Don’t think too much about any act and don’t more complicate and get problems which never existed before.
2. Nothing is permanent and everything will pass away. so stay tuned and be ready to face what ever comes in life
3.When i myself is not listening to my own Heart, how can i expect others to listen to what ever i say and do that. The change should first come within myself
4. Don’t EXPECT anything from others(who ever it may be including the close one’s like Parents, Hubby) as expectation is the main cause for any grief
5.TALK LESS and LISTEN MORE.
Totally agree with not expecting anything – it only causes disappointment!! Be grateful if things work out well; stay strong if they don’t :)
Also love your point #5. It seems many people need someone to listen to them. It also ties in with not having expectations – can’t expect everyone to be interested in what you have to say!
Went through my blog to find these:
– To always be considerate of others
– Never stop loving myself
– Always stay humble
– Answer for the things you have done
– Stay true to yourself
– Always stick to your principle in life
– Always be grateful to events, things, people
– Everything happens for a reason, you just may not know the reason or it will be found out at a later date.
– Happiness comes from deep within
– Money can leave relationships going entangled
– That no matter how mean a teacher seem to be, they always want the best out of the student deep in their hearts.
– Really spend quality and quantity time with family and loved ones and close friends
– Don’t regret any choices you choose because you were given that few options and this was the best option.
– Life, not a destination but a journey where you learn and experience. And, everyone have a different meaning and way to “life”.
– I have a privileged life where I am doted even though sometimes I don’t feel it. Plus, I have everything I need.
– Everyone is perfect in their own imperfect way.
Flipping through my diary pages I recall the lessons I’ve learned throughout the year:
– I’ve a privileged life which I should be grateful for. I’ve the safety of a loving, supporting community and freedom to create the life I want. Learning to be thankful towards what I have every day has humbled me, just as it inspires me to help other people
– Everyone has a complex and unique personality. Based on our upbringing and traits we hold various perspectives, and the key to harmony between us is to see things from different sides. If we can understand the cause, it’s easier finding a sustainable solution
– I can never be perfect, therefore I should enjoy my imperfect reality more. Trying to live up to someone’s expectations will forever be impossible. If I only accept myself and love what I have I can be happy. That doesn’t mean I’ll never chase my dreams, it means I’ll savour the journey for what it is
– Over-planning is not happiness, mindfulness is. Scheduling my every action in a calendar is unnecessary. Being aware of that I am happy right now and looking out for unexpected opportunities will lead me to my true dreams faster
– Honesty is the key to understanding. I can avoid my problems, but they’ll never disappear that way. Listening to myself and other people for the truth will make me accept life as it so, so I can move forward instead of looking back
Really relate to your third point – my perfectionist streak can get out of control and cause pain otherwise
I have learned that Bible deems true on various things, especially in where it says: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” There is noone above God. Everything you do comes back at you sooner or later. Gotta make sure that whatever comes your way, be positive things in return of the good that you done previously. In my personal belief, there is no heaven or hell, everyone gets what they deserve right here on Earth.
I learnt many things this year…here’s 12 lessons, one from each month of this year – i.e. what I learnt from events in the month. I won’t list the month, but no.1 is for Jan, 2 fo Feb, etc.:
1) Friendships go a long, long way.
2) Celebrate small achievements.
3) Spread joy and happiness!
4) Cut friendships that just aren’t working out. ‘Unfriend’ those who don’t respect your time, your goals, your ethics, your feelings, and most of all, you.
5) There are people who, deep down, really care for me.
6) Focus on your goals and take action steps. That’s the only path to success.
7) Don’t forget those that care for you.
8) Together, Everyone Achieves More (TEAM). Teamwork is crucial to achieving success.
9) Everything have consequences.
10) Be grateful for what I have.
11) Most of the times, comparing my marks with others is not good. However, sometimes it is – to encourage and motivate me to do much better.
12) Scheduling relaxation time for myself to take a break can do loads to my productivity.
And a bonus for 2013, something that kept reminding me every month…
13) Things you might never have dreamed of can happen, so long you have faith and are willing to put in time, effort, hard work and patience.
I learnt that set your goals and start achieveing one by one .
Do not wait for perfect time on which you want to do a task but start working on a goal step by step . And if it is very big then make alot of pieces of that goal and work on it. It will very simple for you . Just like we eat a big animal by makeing its pieces
If you have faith and follow up with hard work and persistence, then all your dreams will come true! :dance:
1. I’ve learned to trust in God’s Word, all things work for my good.
2. I’ve learned to step out on faith and do what God has called me to do
3. Nothing worth having is free
4. I have everything I need within me to live the life God has predestined for me
5. I must operate in love
Some lessons I”ve gained:
1) I”m stronger than I realize
2) Persistance and effort really do pay off
3) knowing what you want and how you are going to get it helps in the long run
4) having goals s a plus and gives your life depth
5) reading new books regularly can open my eyes to a lot of what is out there
6) I have people who care for me
7) Spending time with my family becomes much more meaningful when you are living seperately
8) There is always someting to begin after an ending
9) I can accomplish so uch if i put in the time and effort
10) piggy backing off what Susan says, making a decision can take you places you didn’t think possible
11) i have a lot to offer and those who don’t see it aren’t worth my time
12) Imagination really is greater than knowledge
and for a bonus for 2013
13) I learned to take pride in what i’ve accomplished ;)
Lessons? Hmmm….
– patience
– making any decision is better than making no decision
– trust in G*d, and obey His teachings (I ordered and installed a custom wall decal that reads ‘Trust and Obey’, and it’s the first thing I see when I open my eyes in the morning.)
– that I’m as human as everyone else… it’s like that song ‘Everyday People’: “I am no better, and neither are you; we’re all the same, whatever we do.”
– that I shouldn’t have let my ex-boyfriend’s jealousy stop me from being close to my sister-in-law. She died this year, and I missed out on being closer with her for almost 5 years while I was living with him. This I regret, and probably the biggest lesson that I’ve learned this year. From now on, it’s important that ALL my relationships are authentic.
My lessons for 2012 are:
* Great things can (and sometimes, do) fall apart no matter how much you thought it was going to last – things change and people change, even you
* When great things fall apart; it’s not the GREATEST. And in fact, GREATER things do come together afterwards
* Sad ending are often Good beginnings in disguise
* Love thyself
* You can only control what you do, how you feel, how you think – others’ actions are their own and none of your business
* I have a Voice – speak up, use it, rather than bottling in my emotions
* I pave my own future – and every moment of everyday that I am living it; I am creating who I will be so MAKE IT COUNT
* Friends and family aren’t too far away – no matter what you think of yourself – they are there for you, to listen, to nurture and to protect you
* Be grateful. Everyday. For everyone around you, everything you have, even your job!
* Life works in funny ways, but at the end of the day you’ll see that it DOES come together and everything DOES fall into place. Almost so perfectly sometimes it’s scary. :mrgreen:
Awesome advice!
1. Nothing should be taken for granted
2. Life isn’t long enough – act *now*
3. Learning and keeping your mind sharp will also keep you happy
4. Honesty is always the way to go
5. Hard work pays off
6. Friends and family are what actually makes you fulfilled
7. One should always express his creativity instead of containing it
8. Making mistakes is ok, it’s human.
Lessons I gained in 2012:
1) Trust that everything is perfect.
2) Listen to what others’ say then listen to my inner voice when taking the final actions.
3) Be in the ‘now’ and focus on the actions towards my goals
4) Fill my own cup so that there is overflowing for others (when your cup is empty you have nothing to give but frustrations)
5) Stay grateful to others who fill my cup
6) Observe the observer
:heart:
“Fill my own cup so that there is overflowing for others” – Dolly, that is such a beautiful piece of wisdom. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you Celes, I have much to learn from you too! :D
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