The year end is always populated with ‘the best of’ -lists, but sometimes it’s a feeling of disappointment rather than triumph how the year has gone. Do you think nothing turned out as you had envisioned this year? Did you you have a long New Year’s resolutions list and only managed to accomplish the easiest tasks?

Not achieving our internal or external goals feels disappointing, but most of us are guilty of two things. Firstly, we keep rushing towards an elusive goal, expecting that once we get there we will finally be happy – and if we don’t reach our goal we are complete failures. I’m the first one to put my hand up, I know how easy it is to get pressurised by my own goals. For me the secret is not to meet some internal or external targets but to create positive daily habits that help me to raise my game, and, to enjoy the journey!

The second pitfall is not to recognise that life is actually, mostly, pretty great! It’s so easy to get hang up on the things that are not perfect, not completed and not completely as we’d like them to be. This post by Leo Babauta’s is to the point, “If you had to make a list of all the habits you’d like to change or create, how many changes would be on the list?”

Why is it so much easier to be unhappy than appreciate what we have achieved and what we can enjoy right now?

At DrivenWoman meetings we’ve discussed what we are most proud of, or most grateful of this year.

This is a simple exercise that helps you to appreciate the small wins, personal triumphs and the good things you have in life. The feeling of not achieving suddenly makes room for gratefulness and satisfaction.

a) Write down three things you are most proud of, your greatest personal successes from this year. Something YOU are proud of.

b) Write down three things you are most grateful off this year.

I love what one of our members said after writing down her thoughts. “I think this year has been one of the worst years for me, ever. At least it feels like it. When I started this exercise I thought I can’t possibly find three good things about 2014. But guess what, it’s amazing. When I look at what I wrote down, my reasons to be grateful – my life is actually pretty good!”

Being grateful has positive health benefits, and I strongly believe it helps you to relax and enjoy the journey.

And that’s what life is all about. It’s not about the end goal, it’s about enjoying life every day and doing your best.

I wish you peaceful and grateful Christmas. Let’s enjoy it!

~ Miisa