For me, the rising New Year, (and by that I mean the whole month of January,) means taking a step back for a fresh look at what I’m doing and where I’m going.
It’s an opportunity to let go of the past year, and what I did or didn’t achieve or make happen, and honor the highlights and successes to decide with clear intentions what I want to bring forward into the coming year.
I find getting really clear on my intentions sets me up for success in the coming year.
Here’s a 3 Step Process that can help you do the same:
First: Closing out 2017.
One fun way to do this is to make a list of all the highlights of 2017, work related, personal, family, health. Just list it all.
When I did this it helped me to scroll through photos on my phone, and scan my calendar month by month. It brought a smile to my face to remember all the big and little things I experienced, and it was also bittersweet to recall some of the more challenging and sadder times too, like when I lost my dog Theo in February.
Now just look at the list. Wow, it’s a LOT, right?
Take a moment to express gratitude that you achieved what you did, and made it through another year. Then, see if you notice any themes or trends that you want to make sure you recognize and bring forward into the next year. Use those as the basis of your intentions for 2018.
Next: Setting new intentions.
Make a list of all the YES things you want more of in your life. I find it’s easier and more fun to avoid the NO’s by bringing in more resounding YES’s. Some of my intentions this year include:
- More documentaries (and less social media)
- More yoga and movement (and less sitting)
- More hiking and time in nature (less indoors)
- More apples (less cookies)
- More presence (less distraction)
- More community (less isolation)
- More delegation (less doing it all)
- More easy healthy cooking (less grab and go food)
- More self acceptance (less self criticism and judgement)
Finally: The big picture
From this list of YES’s then, I settle in, quiet my mind, and breathe into how I want my life to feel.
Sometimes it helps to pretend it’s 2019 and I’m looking back and telling a story of how my life in 2018 was. What do I want to be able to say about my year? Write a few paragraphs like you’re telling a story looking back a year from now. What big shifts happened?
One Word
And then, from that story I pick one word. Just one word that will be my guiding principle as I move through the year.
This year, for me, it’s “Self Acceptance.”
I’m continually seeking a deeper understanding and connection to myself. And with that deeper understanding, this year I’m working on being able to share more of who I am through my work. It means looking underneath it all and really seeing myself, and then acting vulnerably from that place.
It’s so much easier to be yourself. I know that more and more each year.
I hope your year is off to a fabulous, healthy start. If you really want your 2018 to be your best year yet, and you want to start by working through this process with my support either coaching, acupuncture or both, please hit reply and let’s chat!