“The reality is that changes are coming… They must
come. You must share in bringing them.” - John
Hersey
In
order to get where you want to go it’s important to make a plan. For
many years now I’ve set aside New Year’s Eve afternoon to plan
for the coming year. Since we have an extra long New Year’s weekend
this year you should easily be able to find the time to draw up a blueprint
for 2008. Tell your family that you need some quiet time alone. Find a comfortable
place to sit; wear something that makes you feel good; fix some tea or perhaps
a glass of wine and snuggle down with a your journal or notepad for some
serious planning. If you feel guilty, know that you are engaging in highly
productive activity.
The Year in Review
If you are doing this for the first time, begin by taking a good look at
2007. Write down the answers to these questions:
- On a scale of one to ten, with ten the very best, how would you rate
the year?
- List the events, accomplishments and disappoints that led to that rating
in two columns, positive and negative.
Positive
- List the things that went right: What career initiatives? Financial
goals? Family connections? Health and fitness objectives? Relationships?
- List what brought you joy, satisfaction and contentment?
- What new and positive things moved into your life?
- What were your greatest achievements and/or revelations?
Negative
- What didn’t work as well as you’d hoped?
- What is draining your energy and costing you peace of mind?
- How is your attitude? What are the attitudes and behaviors that need
work?
- What relationships are broken and need to be fixed, or discarded?
What did you learn during 2007? How can you put that new knowledge
to use now?
Create a Prosperity Vacuum?
Nature hates a vacuum. To have new and better things flow into
your life you need to sweep away what is getting in your way, keeping you
from focusing on what is most relevant and important right now. Once
you’ve identified what holds you back, you’ll need a plan to
make some changes, to create a vacuum. Letting go of bad habits and attitudes
requires self-discipline and is easier said than done. The truth is very
simple though. Unless you are willing to change self-destructive patterns,
relationships and situations there is no need to proceed with planning
for a better life. As Dr. Phil famously says, “If you keep on doing
what you’re doing you’re going to keep on getting what you’ve
got.”
Sometimes we get the idea that once we’ve set a goal we must stay
with it no matter what. That simply isn’t true. If a bus were headed
toward you doing 60 MPH, you would swerve to get out of the way. The same
is true of goals and patterns that no longer serve you. They simply must
be eliminated. The way to do that is to write up an official set of the
things you intend to let go, and then act on them one by one. Refer
to the list you made above, the negative side, to begin your list.
What changes do you intend to make in 2008? What must go?
1.
2.
3.
For each item you listed above, make some notes about how you intend to
make those changes. Be precise. Perhaps you want to put them in the form
of an intention (see below). What support will you need? Perhaps there are
some very precise steps you can take such as setting a boundary or leaving
a relationship or making a career move.
Make a New Game Plan
Once you’ve noted what isn’t working and what you will change,
proceed to some fun and creative planning. I want you to be utterly honest
here. Don’t write the things others want or what you think you should
want. This is for you! Here are questions you should consider:
- What would make 2008 a year of prosperity? (Prosperity means more than
money. See these things in your mind. Describe them in detail.)
- What are your top six intentions for the year?
- Are these in line with your values and my overall objectives?
- What support systems (people and know-how) will you need to have in
place?
- What timeline will you need to know you are on target?
- What relationships will you need to mend and nurture?
- Where will you focus most of your energy?
- What must you do and who must you be to accomplish this?
- What will bring you joy, peace and satisfaction?
Take a Clue from the Chinese
Why not name the year? Instead of the year of the dog or the rat,
you can have the year of the career or the body. It’s fun to create
a year that is dedicated to a specific objective. I’ve found this
be hugely successful. I named 1986 the year of growing my public relations
business, and that focus kept me squarely on target. The result was a banner
year. Once I’ve named my year, then that becomes my foremost intention.
- What will you name 2008?
- What is your primary intention for the year?
Look into Your Personal Crystal Ball
Here’s another technique that works. Write your predictions
for 2008, in the past tense. Date the predictions Dec. 31, 2008. For example
you may want to write something such as this: This past year I got the
job of my dreams and I’m now on a career path that excites me. This
was the year I made that trip to New Zealand. This was the year I put new
fitness habits into place and lost 15 pounds. Now I feel great.
Once you’ve written your predictions, tuck them away to be read
next New Year’s Eve. You’ll be surprised how many of those statements
will prove to be true.
I wish all of you a joyous holiday season, followed by the best year of
your lives!
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