As we welcome a new decade, many people are dreaming and preparing for a year with a difference. The start of any year is often seen as an opportunity to set new goals or perhaps transfer last years goals onto the list for 2011.

We hope for changes in different areas of our life including relationships, work, health, spirituality and finances. The list of individual dreams and goals are as long and unique as the number of people living in the world today. For some it may be

finding their next meal whereas others are ready to take on the world.

Many of us focus on not achieving enough or have an often unrealistic list of goals. However, how often do you stop, just for a moment, to reflect on what you have achieved, what you have and what worked well?

I have always been someone with a lot of passion for life, believing that I could live until I was 1000 years old and never experience all the wonderful things the world has to offer. However, more often than not I achieve something only to quickly move onto the next exciting experience.

Although I have experienced so much, I realise that I often move onto the next item, not truly appreciating and reflecting on what I have actually done! I have to constantly remind myself that it is the journey not the destination that makes life special and rich

Today I wrote down my achievements, learnings and challenges during 2010. The process was an interesting insight into just how much I had achieved; the unique experiences, amazing connections with people and challenges that have given me additional resources that will prepare me, both personally and professionally, for the exciting year ahead.

Invest ten minutes in yourself and reflect on your 2010:

-          What have you learned this year?

-          Who has been an important part of your life (and let them know)

-          What has been fun and enjoyable?

-          What did you achieve?

-          What have been the wins professionally?

-          How have you developed personally?

-          What challenges have you overcome?

If you are like me, you will be pleasantly surprised by your discoveries. Life is always full of opportunities for learning and growth so set yourself a goal for 2011, achieve it then celebrate your success!

Have you had that experience when something felt right; you knew that you had to do something or felt that you could trust someone but didn’t know why? When you feel strongly about something without a logical reason, that is your intuition or sometimes known as a “hunch” or “gut feel.”

Some believe that you have to be gifted with intuition however studies are showing that intuition is something that can developed. Yet why would you want to develop your intuition? Intuition helps you better understand what is right for yourself as well as being more sensitive to others. When you are better able to understand people, you create bonds, connections and relationships that are based on trust.

So would you like to learn some easy ways to start developing your intuition? Give these options a go and notice what changes you experience.

1. Meditation

Meditation allows you to get in touch with your higher self and find peace. In our busy worlds, our mind is often cluttered with endless thoughts that are often don’t support our success. When your mind and heart are cluttered there is no space or quiet to access your initiate intuition. Meditation practices can include mindfulness whilst doing household chores; a yoga class or taking notice of your breathing. These practices create greater self awareness.

2. Trust your feelings and first impressions.

Our first impressions are often based on intuition. For instance, have you meet someone you didn’t trust but weren’t sure why? This is your intuition communicating with you. Our first impressions often hold true yet we allow our thoughts to interfere and justify why we could be wrong. Trust your intuition.

3. Think positive!

What are you choosing to focus on? Do you see the current economic times as overwhelming, devastating and hopeless or do you choose to view the current events as a great opportunity to create wealth and success? When your mind is full of worries, fears and self doubt, you block your intuition. If you chose to be positive and optimistic, you attract good things into your life and are in a better position to notice opportunities. Think positive and allow your intuition to guide you.

4. Let go.

What does this mean? Sometimes when we try too hard for an answer or solution we block our natural intuition that is here to guide us to the right action. If there is a big decision you have to make, give yourself the gift of some quiet time so that your intuition can serve you. Meditation is the perfect vehicle to let go. When you listen to the voice within you, the answers that you need are available and waiting.

5. Choose to be happy!

Who doesn’t like being around happy people who always see the glass half full or better still full! Being happy and positive removes negative barriers that interfere with your intuition. Happiness attracts happiness, allowing your intuition to guide you in the direction that is right for you. If you choose to tap into your intuition, you are giving yourself the gift of being guided towards happiness and contentment.

Intuition is helpful, because sometimes it leads you to something that cannot be achieved otherwise. Many times I have tried so hard to find a solution or opportunity without success. However, now I know that giving myself the space and time in meditation, the answers come to be without work. My decisions are easier and I have greater confidence knowing that I am doing what is true and right for me. Develop intuition now and reap benefits you have never imagined.

Sometimes, our doubts, fears and insecurities can become overwhelming and make us wish that we were someone else who has ‘got it all together’. Having worked with thousands of people, I continually hear people say that other people are better than us and have more potential. The reality is that other people have self doubts yet do not necessarily share them, leading us to falsely believe that we are the only ones with fears!      

Interestingly, a person that appear to have it all together or are perceived as being confident have self doubt and fears too. If you could mind read for a moment, you may be surprised that someone who is ‘successful’ in your mind may have thoughts including ‘I hope I am doing my job well enough’; ‘I wish I could have a body like John’s’ or ‘I wish I had better social skills’.

We may look at a young entrepreneur believing that he has everything: money, success, friends and a great business. Yet in the privacy of his own home he wonders why his last girlfriend left him; wishes his nose was different shape or whether he is good enough to make the business succeed

Interesting isn’t it? We envy other people for appearing to have it all and admiring their wonderful lives. Meanwhile, they may look at us and wish they could trade places with us. When we don’t know or accept ourselves for who we truly are, we can tend to feel insecure in comparison to other people. We can suffer from low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence and lose hope in living our potential as we may not be good enough.

One key to self improvement is to learn more about ourselves by listening and talking to a trusted friend, coach or counsellor. When you can express yourself openly and honestly, you are able to get a better insight into yourself by asking questions like “Do you think I talk too much?”, “Do I seem arrogant?”, “What could I do to be more friendly when meeting new people?”. The process of self discovery creates greater self awareness and self improvement. Be curious and open your mind to learning more about who you truly are. After all isn’t it better to find out the truth sooner rather than later.

Be the role model that demonstrates self improvement makes us better people who can inspire other people so others want to follow our example. To create stable and loving relationships you must love yourself first. Remember, you cannot give what you do not have therefore self love is essential for all relationships to be fulfilling.

Accepting your true self is the first step to self improvement. Ditch those unhelpful thoughts that sabotage you and prevent you from getting the results you want in life. We all have unique qualities that can serve ourselves and others. However until we accept and better understand ourselves, our treasures will not be discovered.

Nobody is perfect. We sometimes wish we had better skills, personalities or bodies. Yet by focusing on what we don’t like we are forgetting all the good qualities and strengths that we possess. Self improvement and loving yourself is not a matter of shouting to the whole world that you are perfect and you are the best. It’s the virtue of acceptance and contentment. When we begin to improve ourselves, we then begin to feel contented and happy with our unique selves and inspire others just by being the REAL YOU.