December is a popular time for dreaming; identifying things you want to do, places you want to go, and setting intentions for positive change in the New Year. It’s also the time for changing things that aren’t working in your life; unhealthy relationships, poor health, lack of purpose, and making new choices to create new results.
As you look forward to the New Year, let’s consider your life from a new perspective: How to fix what’s not working while you strengthen what is.
I realized long ago; I don’t dig resolutions. Let me tell you why.
Most of us don’t keep resolutions because we set our goals based on a date on the calendar, January 1st, rather than a commitment to do whatever it takes to make a lasting change.
We simply aren’t prepared to muster the discipline, hard work, sacrifice, and dedication necessary to stick with a “resolution.” Creating long lasting transformation has nothing to do with a calendar date. It has everything to do with the right mindset.
Most people set intentions and goals for the new year by looking forward. If you don’t take time to first look back, you’ll be inclined to keep repeating the same thoughts, actions and limiting beliefs that created the situations you’re looking to change. You’ll also miss opportunities to strengthen those areas where things are going great and make them even better.
Let me share an exercise I do every year. To keep this simple, you can begin by focusing on any of these common life categories:
Health and Wellness. Relationships and Community. Career or Business. Income and Wealth. Spirituality or Religion. Travel and Adventure. Creativity and Hobbies. Service and Philanthropy.
Before you look to the New Year, take some time to review the last 12 months.
Look back and identify those areas in your life where you excelled and achieved, grew and evolved. Take this opportunity to acknowledge your strengths and courage. Even if you fell short of your ultimate goals, in what areas did you move in the right direction? Where did you raise the bar?
Next, identify those areas where you have room for improvement. Where would you like to feel more confident? What challenges did you avoid to stay in your comfort zone? Where did you want change, but couldn’t recognize a reasonable solution? Where would you like to step up to the plate more often?
Once you’ve identified the areas that are working and those where you’d like to see a shift, you can look forward with a fresh perspective. Now you’ll be able to set intentions for the future with a vision based on reality rather than a vague dream.
In the areas that aren’t working, what kind of change are you looking for? What emotional baggage can you drop? Where do you want to see different results? Where are you sick and tired and being sick and tired? In what areas have you settled or flat out given up?
In the areas that are working well, what can you do to make those experiences even more joyful and fulfilling? Where do you want to increase your confidence and feelings of wellbeing? How will you strengthen your character? In what ways can you grow into the person you want to be? Where do you want to expand your many gifts?
As these fresh intentions become clear, identify up to three steps you’ll commit to take to foster this new vision. As you take action, step by step, you’ll build a solid foundation for living your best life.
Never forget; the past does not dictate the future. As thought leader Jim Rohn said, “For things to change, you have to change.” This quote always reminds me I can take responsibility for my life to make change.
Being alive to move into a New Year is a precious gift we often take for granted. Being Reactive in life is too often tolerated. Being Proactive can make the difference between having a dream and living it.
Rather than setting resolutions with no plan for success, I challenge you to move into next year with a vision you’ve created by first looking back and then looking forward.
Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday season and inspired New Year.