Thinking back over the past twelve months, what are your top five memories? What were you doing? Who were you with? What makes that moment so special? Based on what you learnt, what do you need to do to ensure more good memories? Struggling to think of five? Then make changes to your life to ensure that in twelve months time you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Have you reflected on your achievements lately? Both large and small. Begin by reflecting back over your life on the significant things you have done. From there, continue to build on your list, by making a note each month of the things you have achieved. Even better, add to it as they happen. This way you don’t forget and will realize how much you do accomplish.

Having regrets can mean a life of misery. You feel irritated and helpless. If only I had done x. Yet the reality is, what’s done is done and you cannot change the past. So try and spend time thinking about the reasons why it is not worth having regrets. Maybe do some research to discover the impact it can have on your wellbeing. Once you understand that holding on to regrets isn’t healthy, perhaps you can finally overcome yours?

Rather than letting quarrels continue on for hours, days, or even longer (sometimes years), make a decision to make up, forgive and move on quickly. Not only will your relationships be better, but you will feel better yourself, as you are able to focus on more important things.

How do you see yourself in time? Do you tend to look to your past, spending time reminiscing? Or do you focus on the present, neither looking to your past or your future. Or are you concerned solely with the future? Ideally, strive for a balance between all three: looking fondly to your past, enjoying your present and being hopeful about the future.

In facing challenges now and in the future, it can be a good move to look to your past. How have you succeeded previously? What actions did you take to guarantee success? Did you receive support in any way? How can the past inspire you to ensure you meet your goals, and overcome potential setbacks?

Starting today, keep a journal of your achievements. Small things, as well as the grander successes. Keep track of what’s going on in the here and now, as well as leaving space to record achievements from your past. When you have a low moment, be sure to take out your journal and read through it, reminding yourself how great you really are.

I’ve just finished reading an article about a study into the dangers of doing family history. You can read more here: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6383CJ20100409.
It was conducted by a sociologist who believed “researchers could open up a Pandora’s Box of secrets and skeletons, such as finding there are family issues around paternity, illegitimacy or marriage close to birth of children, criminality, health and mental health and previously unknown humble origins.”
Go figure. It would be pretty surprising if anybody didn’t find this in the course of their research. “I cannot believe great great grandfather …

In my book, you have an opportunity to review and reflect on your past successes and achievements. Towards the end, I ask: “what one thing are you most proud of?”. The reason I mention this is because on the day the proof copy of my book arrived, I opened it up to read this very question. My answer had to be that very moment. Standing there with a book I had written – with my name on it! I could not recall feeling prouder of something I had achieved.
Interestingly, from …

How resilient do you think you are?  How easily do you bounce back when bad things happen? Do you think you would manage if disability or serious illness were to come your way, or do you think you would buckle under the misery and give up on life? People sometimes say ‘I don’t know what I would do if’. But people do manage, somehow life goes on and for some their life is more satisfying and meaningful than it was previously. You are probably more resilient than you think you …