Here we are in the last few days of 2013 and if you haven’t done so already, I bet you are beginning to move into thoughts of dreams, goals and plans for next year.
Today, I wanted to share with you some of the parts of my process for reviewing 2013. Part Two will then help you move forward and commit to your goals so that you can consciously create 2014 to be your best year yet.
Here’s to you this year – may you be happy and healthy and may your days be filled with love and laughter.
Step No. 1: Review Your Highs and Lows
I have been carving out some time over the past couple of weeks to review my 2013. I really enjoy giving this some space and time every year and see it as a first integral step to goal setting for the year to come. My process is simple – I take some time, usually over a cuppa, in a quiet space at home or in a coffee shop to review, to look back and write down my highs and lows over the past year – both personally and professionally. This helps to focus my attention on the lessons I need to learn so I can begin to build actions around not doing those same things again next year. When writing down my successes, I always notice there are more of them than I originally thought. This is a very powerful exercise, as it allows me to acknowledge my achievements so that I can then build on them in 2014. What a great way to start the New Year.
Step No. 2: Theme Your Year
I believe that every year has a unique theme, a central pattern that you can consciously use to help underpin your behaviours, actions and personal practices as you navigate the twelve months ahead. What was your theme for 2013?
My theme was Theory to Practice, which has been all about moving from knowing something to just doing it! The clue is in the theme…Practice…this year I committed to actually practicing doing things as opposed to just knowing it or feeling like I should be doing it. My year was about committing to personal practices to anchor me in being the best I could be – at home and in my work. And when I fell off the wagon during the year, I just practiced getting back on and recommitting to what I knew I should be doing. That theme has influenced my commitment to daily practices on yoga, meditation, gratitude, being response-able, profound listening and fun – all of which, without a shadow of a doubt, helped me to consistently perform better, be healthier and happier this year. Now, those are results worth celebrating…and continuing with.
So, ask yourself, if you could sum up 2013 in a theme, maybe even two or three themes, what would they be? Don’t worry, it will come, especially if you have given some time to Step 1.
Step 3: Build On Your Achievements and Learning’s
Before you commit to goals, let your mind simply begin to wander into next year. Allow your tentacles of creation to expand into thinking about what you want to achieve but remember to use your responses to Step 1 and 2 above. in service of building on your successes, your passions and your strengths.
Read 2014: Your Best Year Yet – Part Two to really help you make the most of this year.