I am here, right where I'm supposed to be - So are you!

As 2007 winds to a close, it's as good a time as any to assess where I am.

Right now, I am...

• 34 years old
• 5 foot nine inches tall, 254 pounds
• Married, no children or pets, but 3 beautiful nieces
• Christian (no specific religion)
• in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• a home owner
• a Honda Accord owner
• a speaker, coach, and trainer
• a published author of 1 book alone, and 1 book as a contributor
• a contributor to the Joyful Jubilant Learning and 100 Bloggers
• the co-author of the Slacker Manager blog
• a VP of Information Technology at a mid-size financial services firm
• right here, and grateful to be where I am.

Notice I focused on all the things I am, not all the things I am not. Were I to do THAT list, I would be really depressed. It's not perfect, and I am perfectly okay with it!

I am here, right where I'm supposed to be...and so are you!

You are here, in a different here than me, but here nonetheless.

Think about it...

Where are you RIGHT NOW?

Where ever you are right now is absolutely great!

Take a few minutes to figure out exactly where you are RIGHT NOW!

Then count your blessings.

And commit to do whatever it takes to make 2008 GREAT!

If 2007 was a banner year for you, awesome, do more of that in 2008, and it will be even better.

If 2007 needed some improvement, then set your attentions on what you want to improve, and then do it!

Me, I'm focusing on my relationship with my wife, my weight, and on moving my speaking/coaching/training business forward in 2008. You'll see some changes here at Make It Great, mark my words.

And you'll also see a few new things come onto my radar, and a few things go away.

I am here.

What about you? Where are YOU going in 2008? Where ever you're going, where ever you've been, remember.

You are here.

It's a great place to start from!

Comments

[Rosa Say]

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou Phil, Happy New Year. You share a wonderful message, constantly giving of your aloha spirit in your wonderfully Phil-icious way. We are all blessed to have your light brightening our path.

Where am I going? Where WE are going... we live, work, manage, and lead with aloha.

[Terrence Seamon]

...and that's why I always say, "Here we are. Now what?"

Best wishes, Phil, for a GREAT 2008!

Terry

[Jodee Bock]

Phil:

Thank you for this post - and for being who you are to the world and to me! You're a wonderful friend and a great inspiration. Thanks for reminding us that we can start from anywhere ... we just need to know where we are to know where we want to go. I look forward to what 2008 will bring and know that we will get together on the speakers' circuit somehow, some way!

[Corinne Edwards]

Well, as usual, Phil, you have hit it right on.

We are exactly where we should be right now.

I stumbled it! Suggest your other fans do the same. The message is worth spreading around.

[Steve Sherlock]

Hey good buddy, I am making the rounds through my blogroll confirming those that are still valid (some alas, have gone by the wayside this year).

Thanks for helping us all make it great in 2007, we are looking forward to an even better 2008!

Happy new year!

[linkerjpatrick]

It's really easy to focus on what we are not. It would be easy to think about my limited finances right now but I have to remember I spent a good part of 2007 investing in my business, making and learning from mistakes and using those plans to make 2008 Great! I'm 41, almost 42 which we all know is the answer to life, the universe and everything! ;) I have a new dog who makes me exercise more (I won't focus on how crazy go nuts she is and that is why she needs the walks).

[Stephen Hopson/Adversity University]

Phil:

This post was fantastic because you were mirroring exactly what I was thinking and writing about. I'm talking about the part where we're exactly where we are supposed to be. With the new year upon us, many are either looking forward with excitement or dread. Or perhaps a bit of both.

I agree with your implied message that we need to love and accept where we are now. No use to beating ourselves over what happened in the past nor worry about what will happen in the future.

After all, like you said, life is not perfect.

We also need to remember that others looking in from the outside might think you've accomplished fabulous stuff when the person who achieved them may not think so.

For instance, I think the fact that you have a steady job as VP of a mid-sized firm is quite an accomplishment, not to mention the fact that you have already published your first book! You might or might not agree with my assessment.

On the other hand, if you were to look at my achievements, you might say, wow, you're a pilot or soemthing like that. But I might say, "Big deal!" And then proceed to think of what I could have, would have, should have accomplished. Like having a book published or something like that.

See?

It's all a matter of perception so we might as well be gentle with ourselves and take baby steps going into the future. Just doing our best is all that God wants of us, right?

Glad to have you as my blogging buddy! Happy New Year and I hope to finally meet you in person in 2008.

Stephen

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Aloha Rosa - You make a good point. Where are WE going. Glad we're all in this together. VERY cool!

Terry - best wishes to you too my friend!

Jodee - you are so very welcome, for everything. The feeling is most defintely mutual! We'll be seeing you in 2008, and we'll make it great together!

Corinne - thanks for the stumble! Wow! That sure popped traffic. And glad you enjoyed the article!

Steve - you're right, some have passed, and that's okay. They are where they are, no judgement with that.

Patrick - Happy almost 42! Good luck with that poochie!

Stephen - Glad to have you in my line of perception. You're a great friend, and I'm always when you take time to share your insights. We WILL meet in 2008! I know it!!!

[Mother Earth]

i love that this speaks to being wonderfully OK as to where you are at - wherever that might be --- in my current head, and in this particular year past it's a challenge for me to not go to the what I DIDN't vs what I did --- thanks for the perfect timing prompt and for being there for so many of us

if i can help with the weight loss goals of 2008 - i'd be honored

Best of Mother Earth ( aka karen hanrahan)
www.bestwellnessconsultant.com