End of the Year Inspiration

Happy December everyone! It’s getting darker out there, isn’t it? The time change and short days make this a natural time for reflection...
 
This post is dedicated to the week after Christmas but before the New Year, when things are pretty quiet. It’s a time to start thinking about the coming year, and perhaps even New Year's resolutions. 

What do you tend to think about at this time of year? It’s pretty common to focus on what you want in your life, or what you would like to change...​​

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Instead, I invite you to create a very different space. What if the last week of 2015 were devoted to taking stock of all your achievements, successes, things that went well, surprises, and loves? Can you imagine how devoting 7 days to recording those things would shift what you envision for 2016? 

Motivation and flow do not come from kicking ourselves; they come from our deeper values. Chances are, that after a week of taking in what has gone well, your mind is going to be in a much more fertile place to think about what new things you want to create in the coming year.
 
Here’s a step-by-step guide to create a reveling space at the end of December. (This is a fabulous activity to do with your family or a friend.)

1) Block out 1 hour on your calendar after Christmas to answer these questions:

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- What went well this year?
- What successes did you have (internal and external)
- What are you grateful for in 2015?
 
Include obvious things (a new job or a move) and not so obvious things (being grateful for your dog or a roof over your head). Touch on your work life as well as your personal life. You might have a separate list for each. Explode your idea of what counts on this list.
 
2) For at least 5 minutes every day after that, review your list. Add to it. Refine it.
 
3) On the final day (perhaps December 31st?), look at your list and ask yourself:
- What is it like to see this list?
- How do I feel about it?
- What strengths did I use to pull all this off? (Write them down.)
 
This year I helped create a coaching program for parents on welfare in WA state. That has meant a lot of new challenges, opportunities, and risks. I plan to sit down and write down all the successes from that, as well as my other projects and endeavors, to get a bird’s eye view of my year, appreciate how I have grown, and develop my gratitude. I am sure that out of that space will come inspiration to help me form a vision for 2016.
 
I invite you to do the same for yourself. Spend the end of your year in gratitude and celebration – what a great way to ring in your next year. If you get stuck, I'm happy to help... Send me an email.
 
All the Best,
Jen

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