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It’s time to be more TIGER! I’m talking about the lunar new year otherwise known as Chinese New Year. The new lunar year started on the 1st of February and we’re now in the year of the Tiger.
I’m talking about what it means to be a Tiger, how you can harness the energy of this new lunar year to fulfil your goals and really have a fresh new beginning this year.
If you need a shot of energy to get you motivated to make your corporate career escape happen this year, then hit play above!
Here are some of the highlights...
WHAT IS THE LUNAR NEW YEAR?
The lunar new year is based on the lunar cycle, so the phases of the moon, instead of the sun which is the January to December calendar that’s used more in the west. That means it has a different date each year, but is usually at the end of January or beginning of february.
This time is seen as more than just the beginning of a new year, the Lunar New Year is seen as a time of reunion and rebirth, marking the end of winter and the start of spring. It’s a time of optimism and positivity for the year ahead. Chinese people believe that what you do at the beginning of a new year will affect your luck in the coming year.
The Chinese lunar calendar is on a 12-year cycle, with each year linked a different animal -- the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep or goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig in that order.
Each of those animal signs have different traits and attributes and the year of the tiger will have slightly different effects depending on your sign. Well, the year of the tiger will have a different effect depending on your sign. Your chinese sign depends on the lunar year you were born. If you don’t already know your animal sign then I’ve put a link below to some sites that will help you find your sign and what it means and what you can expect from the year.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE YEAR OF THE TIGER
Even just thinking about the tiger you are reminded of energy, strength and focus. It just feels so much more exciting than the Ox which was last year. No offence to those born under the sign of the Ox, it has many great traits, but for moving on, getting things done and really achieving your goals the tiger feels like it will shake things up.
The Tiger is a symbol of strength, exorcising evils, and braveness. Also, this particularly tiger year is the year of the Water Tiger and the water adds confidence, self esteem and learning. So all great omens for anyone looking to make a change in their life this year!
But in general, the year of the tiger is a time of opportunity for us all. Whatever your animal sign, we can all harness the energy and be a bit more ‘tiger’ this year!
Even if you don’t believe in this kind of astrology, following the attributes of the tiger and what it symbolises is still a great thing. Because it’s traits are all about being daring, taking action, learning from the past and also moving on from the past, most of all it's about new beginnings. All important things when you are looking to make a change.
HOW CAN YOU BE MORE ‘TIGER’
Well first being a tiger is about being strong and in your case mentally strong.
When you are making the move from a corporate job you will come up against opposition both from other people and your own mind and ego. You could have people saying that what you want to do is unrealistic, or that you can’t risk what you have, that your dreams are just that, dreams and not real life.
You could be worried about losing the security of the 9-5, you could be worried about money and benefits, you could doubt yourself, you could doubt your skills
Being a tiger is about being tenacious and sticking to what you want no matter what. So decide on your path and be strong enough to deal with the challenges and ignore the naysayers and your own negative thoughts.
Next is having courage and daring to go for things that are different and outside your comfort zone.
The difficulty in changing careers when you are a number of years along one path, is that you’re comfortable with it, you are confident and know a lot about not only your job but the company, the industry and the lifestyle. I know exactly what that feels like. You know whatever is thrown at you, you can deal with it. You are the person that people to go to for answers, you are the guru! When you make a change, you will find yourself in uncharted waters, everything is different, you won't have all the answers and you can feel vulnerable. But without putting yourself out there, being daring and taking a calculated risk, you’ll never make the change in your life you have been desperate to make. Use the tiger courage and make this the year that you are daring and go for what you want in your working and personal life.
The next symbol of the year of the tiger is the exorcising of evil.
That can mean you exorcise the demons of your past. So, any past experiences that made you feel like you’re not enough or that have dented your confidence. It can also mean clearing out any thoughts that are toxic and have a negative effect like imposter syndrome or that you are not enough, or that you don’t have what it takes. Other people that have a negative effect on your mindset can also be seen as something to exorcise this year. Step back from anyone who is negative about your plans for the wrong reasons. So not people that care and are looking out for you, but those that are holding you back because of jealousy or making themselves feel better. Those that don’t want to see you succeed and be happy because it will then shine a light on what they don’t like in their own lives. You don’t have to shut them out entirely but try to keep your distance to protect your own positive mindset, strength and courage. Then find people who will give you the support and guidance you need.
This final one is not mentioned as related to the year of the tiger specifically, but is one that we all know and that’s having the eye of the tiger!
Having the eye of a tiger is being focussed, knowing what you want and going for it. There is a certain look winners have, a look of determination and grit. A look that will stare down any challenge or obstacle. It comes from the purpose and fire inside that will allow you to achieve any goal or dream that you desire.
A great way to get the eye of the tiger, or to get it back again, is to think of past successes. As Tony Robbins say's, "success leaves clues." Think back when you did achieve something big in life and why it was possible, what you did, how you felt, what your attitude was. These visions of past successes will remind you of what you have achieved and that you can succeed again, in whatever you do.
So be focussed on your goals, face down your challenges and get your ‘eye of the tiger’; and whenever someone doubts what you can do, just say to them ‘watch me’!
THE BOTTOM LINE IS…
We could all do with being more of a tiger in how we approach life! Particularly when you are making a big change like moving from a secure corporate job to something more exciting and challenging.
So be focussed, have courage and daring, and let go of anything or anyone that’s holding you back from what you want in life. Let this year be the year that you harness your inner tiger and have a fresh new beginning in the career and life you were meant for.
Links mentioned in this episode
Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign:
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/tiger.htm
Meaning of Year Of Tiger: https://inews.co.uk/news/year-of-the-tiger-meaning-what-chinese-2022-animal-means-zodiac-story-explained-1434823
Story of the animals https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zd9nd6f
Marianne Williamson book : A return to love
USA Today article:
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/01/31/year-tiger-lunar-new-year-2022/9246629002/
