New year. New you.
I FREAKING LOOOOOOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!! The holidays. My birthday. All the celebrations. Letting go. Looking forward. And planning out the year ahead.
But mostly, I love this time of year because it cultivates a promise of new beginnings.
When the clock strikes midnight we are given a blank slate.
12 months, 52 weeks, and 365 days filled with new possibilities, new dreams, or old ones revisited, new chances, and ultimately, a new you.
Now, that’s exciting!You are not who you were a year ago, and you will not be the same a year from now.Who will you choose to become in the next 12 months?The possibilities are endless, but it’s up to you to take control of your life and make things happen.
Will this year you finally start living the life you crave deep down in your soul? Or will it be another year of the same thing?
The choice is yours.Of course, I want to help you make the New Year freakin' epic and your best year yet!Grab your journal or a piece of paper and let’s dive right in.
First, let’s clear the past to make way for the New Year and ultimately, a new you.
- What moments from the last year would you like to celebrate?
- If you had to chose one word for last year what would it be?
- What was the biggest lesson you learned last year?
- Who were you a year ago? Who are you now?
- What decisions/beliefs/habits/actions served you last year and helped you move forward?
- Which did not?
- What is no longer welcome on your journey (people, habits, beliefs, etc.)?
- What is?
- What do you need to let go of to become the person you want to be?
Now that we’ve cleared the past, let’s create the future and hone in on your vision for the New Year.
- Think about your life a year from now. What would the perfect day feel and look like? In this fantasy anything is possible. Take some time to write about this perfect day in as much detail as possible. If I were to read it I should feel like I’m experiencing this day with you. And have fun with this. This is your dream life and you can create anything you want!!!
- Now, let’s switch gears. Make a list of everything you’d like to accomplish this year. Do a brain dump and get it all out. Right everything on this list - small or big. Personally, I like to spend some time with this, or even a few days.
- Looking at your list, choose one thing that you would like to make your primary focus for the year ahead. What one thing would have the biggest impact to move you forward towards your dream life? Look at the "Perfect Day" exercise for clues. The one thing you choose will become your BIG goal for the year ahead
- What actions/beliefs/habits will make this one thing a possibility?
- What actions/beliefs/habits will get in the way of this one thing happening?
- Now that you have your big goal dialed in for year pick 3-5 smaller goals. Refer back to your list. These smaller goals should feel attainable and bit easier to accomplish.
- What actions/beliefs/habits will make these smaller goals a possibility?
- What actions/beliefs/habits will get in the way of these smaller goals becoming your reality?
- Now that the goals are dialed in. Choose some words to guide you next year. Tap into how you want to feel. My words for the year are: ease, freedom, flow & faith. If you're looking for clues as to what words to choose refer back to your "Perfect Day" exercise. How did you feel during this "perfect" day?
Ok, we’ve cleared the past and created a vision for the year ahead, now what?
Throw everything at it!
Everyone is different. When it comes to achieving your goals there is not one strategy that fits all. I highly recommend trying a bunch of things to see what work for you and what doesn’t. Here are some things to try:
- Take action daily. Even baby steps will help you move forward.
- Track your progress and celebrate your wins, even little ones.
- Focus on one goal at a time. (This is why I suggest setting only one big goal for the year ahead.)
- Practice gratitude for what you do have.
- Connect with your goal and vision daily.
- Set monthly goals that are attainable.
- Try new things.
- Change your passwords to your main goal.
- Change your screen savors.
- Share your goals with your tribe.
I know that goal setting can feel a bit overwhelming, but getting clear on what YOU want is the one of the most powerful ways to create the life you want to live! It's really the first step. If you don't know what you want you'll live someone else dream, and that's no fun!In the comments below share any aha's from the above exercise. What's your big goal for the year ahead? What words will guide you in the New Year? I'd love to know.
XO, Em
P.S. If you're ready, really ready, to make this the year you finally start living the life you crave deep down in your soul, I would love to support you. Click here to find out how!