Here I am one month post-surgery, recovering steadily, and thankful that I can share that news. Has it ever been an exciting ride! And I am so thankful for my situation.

You may think gratitude is an odd response to a painful and debilitating episode in my life, but that’s just how I’m wired: I actively look for the lessons in challenging circumstances and give thanks for them. And, wow, did I get to learn a few this time!

Ask for assistance and accept it. When I operate under the assumption that I can handle all life’s challenges on my own, I do myself no favors! I learned to let others contribute to my successful outcome and to ask for whatever is not specifically being offered that will also assist me.

“Pride goeth before the fall” is adapted from the Book of Proverbs. Pride has no role in my return to full health and function. No matter how potentially embarrassing it may seem, success depends on my ‘full disclosure’, time and time again. There is likely nothing I can share that my kind caregivers haven’t heard or seen before.

Patience, pacing and peace help my pursuit of purpose. With whom am I most impatient in this life? That’s right—with me! Now is the time to be extra kind, extra understanding, extra methodical and extra calm to give myself the healthy space I need to be well again. I learn this lesson, again and again. My brother gave me some very wise words to live by: “Do a little a lot, not a lot a little.”

New friends are found everywhere. I am so amazed at the number of people I met while in hospital and the generosity of their sharing. Again and again, interesting people cared to know me and enjoy the time we had together, however colored by our various roles as patients and caregivers. By reaching out, I reap the rewards.

Humor is the very best medicine. Even (and especially) under painfully adverse circumstances, I found something to laugh about. And it helped. Just try to laugh without cheering up a bit—it’s impossible! When things seem to be at their ‘rock-bottom’ worst, I find the humorous slant. Then I laugh. The future looks brighter through laughing eyes.

Perspective (and therefore experience) is my choice. Somehow, with rare exceptions, I am able to distinguish the role of choice in my reaction to whatever comes up. How I choose to deal with the things I am dealt—and being able to distinguish that I am actively choosing—is the essence of dignity in any situation.

These few lessons can be applied to any situation, and I intend to take them out into the great wide world of my work and personal life and apply them generously. Perhaps you can use them too.

All the best!

Julie Nierenberg

As we begin a new year it’s a time for reflection and contemplation.  We look back at the year past and resolve to make improvements in the year ahead.

Unfortunately, according to Statistics Brain, only 8% of resolutions are actually successfully achieved.

Why such low success rates?  Often resolutions are made in haste as part of a New Year’s Day routine, instead of with deep reflection.  To effect permanent change requires conscious thought and hard work.

If you are resolving to make changes in your business or personal life this year, there are ways to help ensure you achieve your goals.

Regularly revisit your resolutions.

It’s easy to fall back into past habits upon returning to the daily shuffle after the holidays.  Take the time to step back daily, weekly and monthly to review and see where you stand.

Have you been doing what you resolved to do?  The results should speak for themselves.

By regularly revisiting your resolutions, they remain top of mind and organically become ingrained in everything you do.

Create a support system.

Let’s face it, change is never easy – old habits die hard.  Sometimes you’ll need a bit of help to reach your goals.

Surrounding yourself with individuals who understand and support your resolutions will help you to succeed.  They can provide friendly reminders to keep you on track, as well as provide a beneficial outside perspective.

Whether it’s a spouse, colleague or virtual team, it’s essential to have support to stay on track when making changes.

Embrace past successes (and failures).

There is always room for improvement in life.  Nothing is ever perfect.  Use past failures as lessons to make the transition easier.

Remember the cause and effect of your actions in the past year.  What were you happy with?  What would you like to change?

With both your successes and failures in mind, you can create your strategy for the year ahead and focus on the success you will achieve in the coming year through making changes.

Develop a clear vision of your success, intensely believe you can achieve it, dedicate your passion, creativity and self-discipline to it, and you will succeed.

In the famous words of Albert Einstein: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”