There’s always a lot of hype around goal setting at this time of year, asking you to declare your resolutions, choose your word for the year, write down your S.M.A.R.T. goals and develop your action plan?
With so much advice filling our news feeds, you can quickly start to feel a little panicked by it all. Worried you must have your goals ready NOW.
You might struggle to do them in a certain way, by a certain time for it all to make a difference. For your year to count.
But, what if you’re not ready yet?
What if, like me, you simply want to take a big, healthy pause…. before declaring any new goals or intentions?
I like to spend days, even weeks, each January preparing myself for the year ahead, and I always begin with an afternoon to dissect the year that’s gone.
Valuable time dedicated to processing the highs and lows.
Celebrating my wins and triumphs, while recognising what it takes to be at my best.
Acknowledging my disappointments, so I can further understand what gets in my way and learn from my experience.
It’s my honest yearly debrief.
I then use the wisdom gained to make my coming year more effective, ease filled and greater than the one before.
I refuse to rush this…. personal reflection is important to me.
So, I start with these 5 important questions.
- What were my highlights last year?
- What worked well for me?
- What didn’t serve me well?
- What would I like to do differently this year?
- What do I want more of?
As I take time this week to ponder my answers, I encourage you to do the same.
My 2016 highlights
Renovated and sold our home
Bought our dream home
Collaborated with another business
Said yes, taught 7 workshops + gave 3 talks
Moved interstate
Decluttered on a monumental scale
What worked well?
Planning my week in advance. Prioritising my day each morning. Returning to a handwritten planner
Committing to my schedule. Committing to ME!
Choosing intentionally, lots more ‘why am I doing this’
Focussing on one thing at a time – best thing I’ve done and an ongoing challenge for me
Connecting in person – quality time with people, less online and more face to face
Spontaneity – I’m enjoying the thrill of this
Regular Yoga, journal writing and cleaner food choices – I feel nimble in mind and body
Being decisive and trusting my intuition
What didn’t serve me well?
Self doubt
Over thinking and procrastination
Avoiding rest even when my tank is empty
Late nights
Processed food, it depletes me
Judgement of self and others. It cages me in
Comparison, adds to my self-doubt and leads to procrastination
What will I do differently this year?
Meditate more regularly
Ask the kids more questions and listen to understand them more
Go to bed earlier
File as I go
Shop at the farmers markets
Try new arts and crafts
Connect through conferences and business meet ups
What do I want more of?
Income, Achievement, Business Connections, Collaboration, Rest, Patience, Gratitude, Kindness, Mindfulness, Childlike fun, Creativity, Simplicity,
You may not have done everything you set out to in 2016 and that’s completely okay. In fact there’s great learning in just that for you.
Or, you may have smashed it out of the park and did all you set out to and more. If so that requires some serious celebrating and pom-pom shaking.
Wherever you are right now is okay. Its YOUR starting point.
We each have a whole new year ahead, 359 days still to go, each one dripping with opportunities if you remain open to them.
It’s now up to YOU. Take the time to debrief your year, celebrating your wins, learning from your challenges before deciding what you want to do, have, create and experience this year.
Step toward 2017 head high and prepared to be an effective leader in your life.
Because this is YOUR one great life, no less.
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