5 Steps To A Fresh Start
Happy New Year!
Have you set your New Year’s Resolutions yet? Yeah… Me neither. Not my thing. Did you know by January 17th most people have already quit their resolutions? So many people, in fact, that it’s known as the “National Quitters Day?” 92% of people don’t keep their resolutions the full year… So yeah. No thanks.
BUT… That doesn’t mean I don’t use other methods to set myself up for success and a great year! Here’s my system:
Take some time to look at the previous year. Reflect on all that happened (maybe even in a journal) - key events and memories, the parts that lit you up, the parts that challenged you, and what you learned or how you grew as a person. Give thanks for the gifts the year gave you… and release it.
Take a moment to look around your present life and notice what is great, what is challenging, and what you need right now. One way to do this is by using a tool called “The Wheel Of Life.” Feel free to print off this handout and give it a try!
Next, set aside a couple of hours to spend daydreaming and envisioning your life one year from today. Where will you be? Who will be with you? What are you doing? How do you feel? What do you know? Write down your observations and feelings and begin to set intentions for each area of your life - intentions that will move you toward this beautiful vision!
Once you have that Vision and Intentions ready to go, find or make some “anchors” to remind you of them every day! An anchor is simply a physical object that teases your senses and reminds you of Why these intentions are important. It’s a passive cheerleader of sorts. It can be a picture of someone important to you, a place you want to visit, or of yourself at your best! It can be the scent of a candle or an oil you diffuse each day. Maybe it’s a piece of jewelry you wear or a piece of artwork that inspires. A song you play on your commute or a quote you have posted on your mirror. Maybe even a Vision Board! Whatever works for you to remind you of the life you are creating!
Lastly, check in. Each day, each week, each month - devise a simple check-in that works for you to evaluate how things are going. Are these still your intentions? Has your vision shifted or evolved? Are you following through or do you need support and accountability? How can you better set yourself up for success? Asking these questions on a regular basis is how we stay the course - no matter how hard the winds are trying to blow us out to sea!
I’ve used this process for the last four years - and have been steadily creating a life I love and becoming the person I am today. The key is to give yourself the gift of time to think, ponder, daydream, plan, and check-in every once in awhile. Without that, there is no fresh start or creating a life we love…
The most common response I get when I ask someone, “What do you want most for your life?” is “Oh gosh… I have no idea. I never have time to think about such things!”
This is your chance. A new year. A fresh start. You don’t need to become a “new you” - just give yourself the gift to ask “What do I want most this year? And what am I willing to do to take baby steps to get there?”
If you’d like support in creating your vision, setting intentions, creating anchors or a Vision Board, and receiving reminders for those check-ins, I’m hosting three “Create a Life You Love: Beginning With A Vision” Workshops this month! Click the links below for more details:
January 21st at 9am CST via Zoom
January 22nd at 2pm CST via HelloRevel.com
January 23rd at 7pm CST via SoWashCo Community Education in Cottage Grove, MN (In-person event)
In hope to see you there! Sending you Joy and Love today!
