As we approach the end of the year, we probably need a break after a long period of hard work, deadlines and nonstop grinding - It is time to reflect and plan for the next year.
As a new fan of Formula One, my interest was sparked when I saw the Netflix docu-series titled 'Drive to Survive'.
Prior to seeing it, I wondered why anyone would pay good money to barely see a car going at 200mph. - Well, unless you are rich.
But you see, after watching the first episode of Drive to Survive, I began to see beyond the fast cars. I could see the passion, teamwork, dedication and strategy that goes into winning races. It can be quite emotional.
As a new fan of Formula One, it has proved difficult for me to pick a team to support. 5 years ago, it would have been Mercedes no doubt, but now Red bull is the team to beat but I have my reservations on Max Verstappen. - And Ferrari don''t seem to have gotten their acts together.
Anyway, I called this piece pit stop because it is when the drivers come in to get their their tyres changed, and adjust their front and rear wings. Needless to say we are approaching that time of the year.
A lot of us have been going at 200mph and now we actually just need time for ourselves, we need a break. We need to get our body and minds rested, before the new year starts and we continue the race again. It's that time of the year for new year resolutions, with new goals and a fully packed gym in January.
So what does this mean for us as we pit stop?
So here we go
Spend time with your team mates
Once the race starts in Formula One, it can be quite a lonely journey for the driver who is left in a car to race against other people. Although you are often in regular conversations with some of your teammates over the radio, the pit stop is actually where you get to physically see them.
In our case, our teammates are our family and friends. They are our support system and the ones we turn to during a crash or when things aren't going well. As we approach the holiday season, a lot of us would value spending time with our team again.
Let us cherish these moments and remember to invite those who may be spending Christmas alone for whatever reason.
"If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." - Ecclesiastes 4:10
Time to reflect on the past year
Unlike F1 drivers who only get a few seconds of the car being stood still, hopefully we get a couple of days to stop and just reflect on the year we've had.
It is a time we ask questions like:
Did we do all the things that we had planned to do at the beginning of the year?
What relationships have we gained and lost in the process?
What lessons have we learnt?
Tough questions, but hopefully we will be satisfied with our journeys so far, and if not remember we are playing the game of life, we have time!
“There is no greater journey than the one that you must take to discover all of the mysteries that lie within you.” – Michelle Sandlinit
Plan for the next year
The end of the year is also a great time to set your goals, identify what skills you want to polish and set a plan of action.
In Formula One, there is an entire team of people who are constantly monitoring the performance of the car as well as the other competitors, in order to take advantage of their mistakes and come up with strategies to overtake them or better still win the race.
A lot of us would have gone through an 'end of year performance review' at work, and received some feedback that we could use to set our goals for next year. And as you already know, planning for individuals is very similar to that of a business. - Identify where you want to be and then work backwards to see what you need to do to achieve it.
A bad plan is better than no plan
Finally, don't forget to enjoy the ride
You are already travelling really fast, feeling all the pressure and maybe even anxious about your next step. So while you are in the race, remember to enjoy the ride!
Seasons Greetings Everyone!
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