Write an autobiography of the past year

A mentor of mine suggests that writing an autobiography of the past year is a unique opportunity to use retrospection to gain knowledge into who you are.

Last year is fresh in your mind. He says this exercise creates your historical portrait. Your life's landscape opens before you. Write the story of YOU from January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006. Start with a chronological approach; include your transitions; think about 1) family and relationships 2) business and career 3) health and fitness 4) travel and education, 5) money and finance 6) creativity and spiritual growth.

Take great care....this is not a frivilous exercise. This is your life. Who you were in the past year is a reflection of the choices you made, the focus of your thoughts, the actions you took or did not take, the inward and outward growth you have experienced.

Write about all the things you did well in the past year - your accomplishments, advancements. This experience in achieving accomplishments and advancements is something you can give to others. Personal experience is very powerful. How can you share your experience with others?

Don't dwell on "loss" or "mistakes". Look at these experiences as gain. You actually gain something from loss and mistakes. Your mistakes are great teachers. You would not be the person you are today if you had not made mistakes and experienced loss in your life's journey. Those experiences are for the good because through them you came to greater insight and understanding of the world. Learn and let go.

Affirm all the good from the past year and turn toward the good that is appearing in your life in the present. Your good wants you as much as you want it. Think of yourself as a magnet attracting increased health, wealth, and love into your life. See yourself being a person you would admire. Look forward to your life becoming happier and your peace of mind greater.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. -- Aristotle