Earlier this week, I was speaking to a wonderful group of people about what it means to start the year well. And in the course of that talk, I posed a number of potentially year-changing questions to prompt thought and reflection.
As always, when I am speaking to groups, I find that I can easily remain detached from what I am saying. To choose to not apply it to myself. Years as a physiotherapist (physical therapist) have taught me great compartmentalising skills: being able to empathise and work with individuals in the midst of their own health crisis without taking it on board myself. Because very quickly, my own capacity would be exhausted.
I digress.
But seeing as how I value integrity – it is essential for my own integrity as a life coach that I DO take time to apply to my own life what I am seeking to inspire and encourage in others.
A fabulous walk along one of Scotland’s beautiful beaches this morning, in freezing January sunshine, provided me head and soul space to do just that. Being able to do this is a luxury for which I am so grateful. But I recognise increasingly that I need time like this, and therefore am more intentional about planning it in.
What do you need to plan more of in 2019?
This week, rather than spending time reading my musings (for which I thank you most sincerely), take that time instead to ask yourself these questions. Last week gave the opportunity to come up with a word for 2019. That word can form the theme for this year, the anchor point for your decisions.
Taking time to think through these questions, and write out your reflections might be the most important thing you do this year….
- Imagine that 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? What would the year be characterised by? What would you want to have done more of? Less of?
- What persistent character trait are you aware of in yourself that you know is a problem – to yourself and those around you? What would it take to begin to address that? How would your relationships be different by the end of this year if you did change positively in that area?
- What one area of life is most significant this year – family, career, finances, relationships, health, recreation? What one change could you make in that area now that would move you more towards this being a good year?
- What do you stand to lose by NOT making changes this year? What are some of the obstacles that are going to get in the way?
Time to think through and answer those questions for yourself this week will be time well spent.
What to do with that information? Let it mull around your head and embed itself into who you are and what is important to you.
And next week the pieces will all be fitted together…..