“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

As the year draws to a close, most of us take time to reflect on what was, what could have been and what the hell! And it can surprise us, just how much we’ve achieved, or it can make us squirm uncomfortably as we realise it was just another ho-hum year that dwindled by without a whole lot of positive progress.

Now, it would be completely unrealistic to expect that each year is going to be extraordinary, filled with massive highs, few lows and progression in leaps and bounds. Some years just aren’t meant to be that way. And you know what? Your adrenal glands will thank you! Rarely can every single year be an adrenaline fuelled party where success is all you feel. However, I do think it is important to keep aiming for better each year. Better health, better wealth, better connections, better balance, better fulfilment. Otherwise, what’s the point?

I met a gorgeous woman a little while ago who has certainly had an incredible life. She’s been part an arranged marriage, which failed… then finally gave in to a man who loved her and chased her for over a decade, and then abused her…she was whisked away from her home as a young teenager and made to relocate into a foreign society…she’s been disowned by her mother….she’s dismissed the religious beliefs with which she was indoctrinated and therefore alienated herself …she’s raised beautiful girls on her own…and she is a self-made business babe who supports her family single-handedly.  She has had no  control of her life so many times.  To my mind, she has a lot of reasons to be pissed off, depressed, anxious or cranky, but she’s none of these things. In fact she has more reason than anyone else I know to be mightily annoyed with the world/god/mankind, but she’s not.  She is one of the most positive people I know. And I know it’s because she sets herself a goal each day to be just a little bit better than the day before – and that she can control.

So as I’m reflecting on my year, one that has flown by faster than ever, I am super pleased with what I’ve achieved but know there is still plenty of work to be done to be just a little bit better than I was yesterday.  I’m not always grateful for what I have, I’m certainly not always gracious about where I’m at.  I’m tough on myself and I think that gets in the way a lot of the time. I have an incredible life but I’m like so many people who still want more – sometimes it’s a pony for my daughter, sometimes it’s another bedroom and living room, sometimes it’s better behaved children, often it’s more time to just read. I make no apologies for wanting more, because it is one of the drivers that keeps me in business. By sharing my love for what I do and helping others to do better, I hope to be in a position where I can have more to share. And so the cycle goes.

I am definitely thankful for where I live and who I live with, but I’m not one who settles very well.  “The grass is not always greener Jo’, my mother used to say, and it still rings in my ears. But my desire for just slightly greener grass is also what keeps me motivated and striving for better. And I reckon that’s ok too. heck, it’s my grass and it will be whatever shade of green I want it to be!

I’ve had a huge year with the book being published, our family overseas adventure, my new studio being built and less time than ever to do everything in thanks to the kinder timetable. It’s been manic at times – I’ve been rushed, stayed up too late, gone overboard with planning and I’ve gotten grumpy with those I love. But in the end, I am pleased with what I’ve achieved and super proud of myself for ticking off some massive goals. I also got to help a whole lot more people along the way than I had planned on, for which I’m truly grateful. I just look forward to a slightly less adrenaline-fuelled 2017!  I do have awesome plans to release a new group online program, some new coaching packages and also partner with a charity in a special way, however my goal is to do it all in a more even-keeled manner.

In signing off I want to wish you a few moments of quiet reflection this festive season, to see where you were this time last year and where you are now. My hope is that you are just that little bit better than you were.

Merry Christmas to you.