Looking back to propel you forward

Instead of a resolution to achieve more this new year, acknowledge yourself and your growth

In the hustle of life, it's easy to overlook what we’ve accomplished, and even easier to let life simply go on, without reflecting on how we’ve grown. We get caught up in whirlwinds of responsibilities, ambitions, and expectations (from others and ourselves), rarely stopping to pause and acknowledge the incredible stuff we've done.

This new year, we encourage you to take regular moments to honour, reflect, and take care of yourself, in the pursuit of progress.

Honour You … Yes, You

Honouring ourselves and our growth isn’t only about celebrating achievements or milestones; it's a deliberate recognition of our evolution, learned lessons, and the incredible humans we are becoming - every day. It's about acknowledging the growth that comes from choosing to live in alignment with the things that matter most to us - our values.

Reflect on You … Yes, You

Self-awareness is one of the fundamental aspects of honoring your growth. It means tuning into your inner transformations and acknowledging your shifts in perspectives, beliefs, and behaviours. When you take the time to reflect on your experiences, you gain invaluable insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and the areas where you've grown. This acknowledgement is powerful and it doesn't happen if you don’t pause and do it with intention.

Looking in the Mirror is Hard

Let’s be honest, the journey of personal growth is never a smooth ride. It requires side stepping our comfort zones, facing challenges head-on when we’d rather not, and confronting uncertainties. But, if we view obstacles, setbacks, and failures as valuable lessons that can contribute to your growth, they become stepping stones rather than cliffs. Embracing tough moments with a willingness to learn fosters resilience and empowers us to move forward, stronger and wiser.

Be Compassionate with You … Yes, You

Self-compassion plays a crucial role in honouring yourself and your growth. Being kind to yourself, and acknowledging that growth takes time and is often a bumpy ride, instead of dwelling on mistakes or perceived shortcomings, is difficult for most of us, but is growth, in and of itself. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you'd offer to a friend.

Self-Care

We’ve said it before and will continue to say it, those in healthcare are the least likely to take their own advice of taking care of themselves. Your physical, mental, and emotional well-being are the core of nurturing personal growth. Engaging in activities that bring you joy, practicing mindfulness, nurturing healthy relationships, and prioritizing your health all contribute to your holistic development.

How do I Know if I’m Doing it Right?

If you’re feeling uncomfortable and would rather get back to your day job, but stick with it anyway, you’re doing it right! And if you find yourself believing that self-reflection, self-compassion, and self-care is the real work, then you are doing it right! And it will get easier with practice.

Get 1% Better Every Day

It’s not about making huge changes in one day. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says: “If you can get 1 percent better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done.”

So, pick one thing to reflect on that you experienced last year. Do it with undivided intention and attention; What did you experience? What did you learn? How did you grow?