Dawn of a new day

If there's one thing 2012 has taught us, it is the value of keeping a close watch on the calendar.

It is of little consequence the various interpretations of the Mayan example and what did or did not transpire on December 21, but it sure got a lot of people interested in the passing of time. All the hubbub had many re-evaluating their lives and no doubt assessing where they had gone right or wrong over the years.

As we turn the page from one year to the next - hopefully there is a next on your calendar - it is often seen as a time for reflection and consideration of the future. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Let's cast aside any thoughts of New Year resolutions right now. They are largely meaningless and rarely last long enough to make a serious dent in whatever goal you are aiming for.

But the passing from one year to another can turn your thoughts to assessing life, something many of us spend too little time on otherwise. Maybe it's that you struggle to find time during the year and you only get time to dwell while on your annual Christmas-New Year break, if you are one of those fortunate enough to get time off.

Whatever the reason, reflection and planning ahead can be no bad thing, in life as in business.

I was interested this past week to find an old list in a notebook. The list was compiled some time during 2012 and comprised things my wife and I wanted to achieve by the end of the year, personally and as a family.

It was quite an eye-opener and, although I don't recall using the list as a reference in the past 12 months, many of the goals had been achieved.

Whatever your take on 2012, today could be just another day, the start of another year. Or it could represent an opportunity to challenge the status quo and set off in a new direction with appropriate goals to guide your course.

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