The turn of the year is always a good time to sit and have a think. We naturally look forward to what’s to come in the year ahead and are easily tempted to set crazy and often unachievable goals for ourselves in the form of resolutions.
As they usually involve giving something up or stopping doing something we’re setting ourselves up for failure from the start. But with a bit of thought we can quickly come up with a plan for the year that’s meaningful and achievable. How?
Well, a couple of years ago someone told me about a book called ‘Your Best Year Yet’ by Jinny Ditzler. She raved about it and said that she works through it every year. So I bought a copy and did the same.
Did it change my life? No. But it did make me think really hard about a few things and that in turn led to some useful insights, good decisions and much better focus on what I wanted to do in the year ahead.
As I do with any self-help book, I took what was useful to me and ditched the rest.
Over the next 10 days I’ll share the questions I found most helpful, with some suggestions to guide you through them.
For best results don’t overthink your answers and keep everything really simple and grounded in reality. Nobody is judging you remember.
Q1. What did I accomplish last year?
It’s always a good idea to start by thinking about went well in the year that’s just ended. This doesn’t have to be anything big or important, but it should feel like an accomplishment, something you achieved. For many of us getting through the year was an achievement.
We often take things we’ve done and achieved for granted, and dismiss them as luck, or something anyone could have done. But even small successes make us feel good and have a long-lasting positive effect on our confidence and sense of wellbeing. So, take a few minutes now and enjoy your achievements.
Here are some ideas:
• Moved house, decorated, decluttered
• Started a new job or business, won a promotion, kept things going
• Saved money, earned more, managed OK
• Exercised, started a new hobby, meditated regularly
• Kept in touch, made new friends, was a good friend to someone
• Took care of people, made an effort to check in on vulnerable relatives or neighbours, did someone’s shopping
• Made it through, got by, did OK
If you feel like it, share what went well for you in the comments.
Here are 3 things that went well for me – I moved house, reconnected with very old friends and had some excellent feedback and repeat business from clients.
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