Earlier in my career, I was excited to get back to work to share party stories with co-workers and show off new clothes that I received for Christmas. I was excited to have a change of pace and a sense of settling back into a routine after weeks of frantic shopping, partying, and trying to pull-off the perfect Christmas decorating scheme. The tension in my shoulders and head built up as the holidays encroached on my normal routine. The pressure was unrelenting. Once Christmas was over, I was on to cleaning up the house for the New Year. There was no time for reflection; nor any inclination to do so.

Now, as a mature business owner, I am excited to get back to work to share the stories of connecting with family, friends, and my Self; to share new insights, ideas, and fresh enthusiasm for what I envision for 2008. The sense of settling back into a routine has been replaced by a sense of creating and moving forward. Paradoxically, a flu bug extended time for Self-reflection and cleaning house physically, mentally, and spiritually. The space that has opened up as a result of de-cluttering has given me fresh perception and renewed enthusiasm to share my insight and revelations with clients, colleagues, and everyone who will give me the gift of their time to listen.

A best practice (aka tradition) that I continue to honour is cleaning house for the New Year. As a tradition, I tackled this task literally. I physically cleaned the house and paid bills before the New Year. No longer a traditional task, cleaning house is a now a best practice. Yes, I still physically clean and de-clutter my environment. However, I now extend the ritual to include clearing emotional stuff and de-cluttering my mind. The additional physical, emotional, and spiritual space sets up a suitable environment for reflecting, creating my Vision, and setting intentions (not resolutions, not expectations) for the new year.

My Vision for 2008 includes: shaking up the workplace; contributing to making the workplace a better place – for everyone; and witnessing a shift in perception for as many people as possible from – I have to work – to – I want to work.

• How will you contribute to making your workplace a better place – for everyone?
• What are you willing to do to shake up your workplace to make it a better place?
• How will you feel to wake up wanting to go to work?