Such a cheesy title, I know. Jumping on the bandwagon of so many other lifestyle gurus and experts. But hey, if everyone is talking like this, there must be some merit herein, surely. And do you want to make 2019 your best year ever? This is important from my perspective because life coaching is about moving from where you are to where you want to be. A key element to that is being proactive – not only working out where you are starting from, but also having a clear idea of where you want to get to. The bit in the middle is the easier bit – creating all the individual steps that will enable you to get to where you want to be.
The mini series of musings here since the start of 2019 have allowed space and structure to do just that.
Firstly, three weeks ago, I posed the question: How did last year end for you?
How did last year end for you?
What was it characterised by? And therefore how do you want this year to be different? What do you want to do more of? Less of? What do you want to let go of?
- Write down your words and thoughts for each of those questions, keeping it as brief or as expansive as suits you. The more specific you can be about what you want to be different this year, the more useful this exercise will be.
Next, we delved into a theme for this year.Based on what you wrote for how 2018 ended, what kind of year do you want 2019 to be? Of course, this is only to the extent that we can plan – much is outwith our control. But being proactive has great advantages in determining our choices and responses to all that this year brings.
Last week saw probably the most important question asked:
If you are at the end of this year and look back and say, that was a good year – what would have had to have happened?
Who would you want to be, what would you want your year to be characterised by? Take some time to reflect on the questions posed here, as this will flesh out your theme for 2019.
Finally, break that down into specifics and work backwards to create clear action points in each area.
- Make a list of the major categories of your life: family, friends, health, finances, work, spiritual and personal growth, fun and recreation, home.
- For each category, what do you want to have achieved by the end of this year?
- What one change in each category could you make that would help you get there that you can start doing now?
- Write out that goal, keeping it simple, specific and relevant.
- Tell a trusted friend and ask for their support and accountability.
- Regularly review your plans, and your overall theme for the year. Stop and ask yourself, why am I doing what I am doing, and what is most important here.
If you need help and direction with this, do get in touch – this is what I do! But taking this time and making such intentional, thought through plans really is a powerful step you can take to make 2019 your best year ever.