There is no doubt that world is changing at a fast pace and we need to look ahead and decide which way we want to go and not just get carried along with the tide. We need to be flexible, creative and dynamic to succeed in these challenging times; but it is also important to enjoy all that we do. There will be many challenges for us in 2010 but there will also be many opportunities; so we must make sure we are up to the challenge.
In the New Year to leave or not to leave, seems to be the question occupying the thoughts and minds of many long-term expatriates. The moral of this story is simple. If there comes a time when you feel you have more reasons to move on than to stay put — take up the challenge.
Making the decision may test you or take time but you take with you a wealth of experience, which is a powerful resource at your disposal. I arrived in the Gulf in 1979. People have always commented on the many changes we must have seen over the years. But like the shifting sands,
Dubai was always changing; yet in many ways it remained the same. For me it was a perfect place to have children; they enjoyed mixing with friends of all nationalities and they received a good education. There might be some good reasons for returning home but there are also some good ones for remaining in an overseas posting.
Here are my five keys to successful resolutions
l Take good care of yourself, eat well and take more exercise.
l Get your sleep. (It’s no good pacing the floor).
l Think positively. Every difficulty brings opportunity.
l Keep calm. Life isn’t a fairy story, so be ready to begin again and again.
l Take the time to make New Year resolutions so you decide which way you want your life to go in 2010.
Make a Goal Plan for each resolution
It is very important to have a plan and getting your plan down on paper activates the brain and is the powerful key to toward moving forward and achieving success. Using a plan that incorporates words as well as pictures activates your brain. Once the brain sees the goal in a visual form it starts working on the solution.
l Step 1 Take a blank piece of paper and put in words and pictures what your idea of a successful resolution looks like. (All the things you want to achieve.)
l Step 2 At the bottom of the page put down in words and pictures what depicts your current position or situation.
l Step 3 Now; working up from the bottom of the page toward the top list 5 steps that you need to take to reach your goal.
l Step 4 Put your goal plan on your notice board and look at it every day.
l Step 5 Gradually work through your steps toward your Goal.
This is a tried and tested method that works and can be used by anyone in any situation: from a student at the bottom of the class to a business man or housewife who feels the need to improve their lives. So there is no fear in moving on to a new year – just change and greater opportunity I wish you health happiness and success in 2010.
Ask Alva
I get very stressed and panicky before giving a presentation to clients. Can you suggest a way to deal with this? — KM.
Breathe away stress. Many ancient healers believed in breathing. Prama comes from Indian yoga and means “breathe in”. In China, breathing is recognized as a healing power for the whole being, and particularly as a means to mend the mind and protect against disease. Take a quiet time each day — relax the body and breathe in and out, focusing only on breathing slowly. If you have to give a presentation or do anything stressful, prepare well for it. Practice and rehearse and take a few moments alone beforehand to breathe in and out slowly and feed yourself positive thoughts. Then walk into the room and enjoy having everyone’s attention – concentrate on putting them at their ease, and enjoy yourself. — Alva
