When we think about wanting to thrive, we often get completely consumed by the future, by making huge plans, by brainstorming big ideas, by making really long to-do lists and, sometimes also by our current dissatisfactions and frustrations. I'm not far enough along. I haven't achieved anything yet. I feel so stuck.

And I get it. It's fun to dream, phantasize, and imagine about what could be and "steal" yourself away from the here and now. There is absolutely nothing wrong with dreaming big; obviously!

BUT, in order to thrive and really take charge of our lives, we have to understand ourselves and our patterns that are actually not serving us in the right and most constructive of ways.

Since it is December and we only have about 4 weeks left in this year -2014, I would like to encourage you to review how this year went for you and to learn from the things and patterns that served you well and those that limited you.

Awareness is the jumping board to authentic and lasting change, and so I prepared a set of questions for you to ask yourself this month in order to start 2015 in the best way possible and ready to thrive in all areas of your life: work, love, health, and play.

1. TRUST

Trust in yourself and in the universe gives rise to courage, creativity, and ultimately self-realization. Without trust, we are dominated by crumbling self-doubt and indecisiveness. Plus we shut down our own ideas before they can ever come to fruition.

Ask yourself with respect to 2014 :

What were instances when I really trusted myself, my intuition, my ideas? What happened?
When did I reject my own ideas, didn't speak up for myself, and made someone else more important than myself? What happened?

2. PERSONAL POWER

We all have it, but we often give it away without noticing. For example, worrying about what other people think of you, making your self-approval dependent on other people's opinion of you, or putting your life on hold until _______ (external factor) changes, are all examples of giving away your power.

Ask yourself with respect to 2014:

When did I give my personal power away and how? Did this ever help me?
What do I wish I could have done differently?

3. CELEBRATION

Sometimes pride gets a bad rep, but you are certainly not serving anyone by not claiming any of your successes as your own. Having a healthy sense of self means that you know your value and that you can celebrate the things you have done and contributed with pride and joy. You have to pause, appreciate, and celebrate yourself the way you appreciate others. Ultimately this is a huge component of feeling fulfilled; for you and for everyone around you.

Ask yourself with respect to 2014:

What am I really proud of having done/ achieved/ said/ contributed/ created?
Did I celebrate my successes and achievements properly in a way that invited others to genuinely celebrate theirs too?

In the comments below, I'd love to hear from you: Do you spend enough time reflecting and learning from your own patterns? Which of the above questions resonated the most with you and why?