December is a great month to reflect on your achievements from the current year and to set intentions for the coming year. According to William Bridges[1] (based on 30 years of research), in order to move successfully from one life transition to another, it is important to let go of any negative emotions associated with it, to celebrate the positive aspects and lessons learned from it… and to get clear on your vision for a new relationship, career, business … . The end of a year may be considered the ending of a transition and the start of a new year, a new beginning.
A process that I’ve found to be extremely useful for myself and my clients, is to answer the following questions and journal about them at the end of a year and before starting a new one.
Reflections:
What are the achievements I am most proud of in 2014?
What am I most grateful for this year?
What lessons have I learned regarding relationships, work experience, my own blind spots … over the past year?
Intentions:
What are my intentions for 2015 (in five areas)?
i) Personal life – i.e. What my personal life looks and feels like. Note that it is important to write your intentions in the present tense as if you have already accomplished them. For example; “I am strongly connected to myself, my gifts, my fears, my strengths. I courageously uncover any and all fears, doubts and limiting beliefs that are holding me back from standing in my true power and fulfilling my larger vision and mission … .”
ii) Related to my Health – i.e. What my health looks and feels like. “I feel great! My body is toned, strong and flexible. I radiate health and vitality – physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. I do yoga and meditate regularly and live a life of balance.”
iii) Financial – i.e. What my financial life looks and feels like. “ I average $_______ thousand a month in terms of income generation through Creative Life Coaching. I feel financially free and serene. I pay off my credit cards every month and my line of credit is paid off. … “
iv) Spiritual – i.e. What my spiritual life looks and feels like. “I continue to meditate daily and deepen my ability to go within and connect with the Universal wisdom. I continue to strengthen and listen to my body’s wisdom. … “
v) Intellectual – i.e. What my intellectual life looks and feels like. “I am flexible, flowing and open to new ideas. I connect with my creativity easily and effortlessly. … I write and publish my first book on Creative Living this year, have a successful book launch and sell out my first printing very quickly… .”
I encourage you to experiment with the process above. Feel free to change the titles of the 5 areas suggested to ones that resonate for you. Reviewing your intentions quarterly and noting how you’re doing in relation to them, helps keep them top of mind and provides encouragement to move forward. Using your intentions as a “touch stone” at the end of each year to review your achievements is also helpful. Celebrating your accomplishments feels so good and is important to provide you with the energy and commitment to move forward and fulfill your intentions.
Best of luck reflecting on 2014 and setting bold intentions for 2015. To your health, happiness, fulfillment and inner peace! You CAN create an exceptional life. I welcome your comments below and appreciate you sharing this post through social media and with friends, family and co-workers.
[1] Bridges, William. Transitions – Making Sense of Life’s Changes. Cambridge: De Capo Press, 2004.
Just in time for 2105! Love the idea of clearing away what we longer need or want first in order to make room for what we want to create. I like how you break down the intentions into categories. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Lisa, Am happy that you found the post useful. Thanks for your positive feedback. Pam
I learned a great lesson just a year ago!! I was always focused on ‘what’s next” without acknowledging what had become… this was a huge shift for me!! So glad you mention that here! I too plan out the different areas of my life i want to impact over the next year with my goal setting which of course includes FUN goals!
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for sharing your big shift from last year. Yes, you’re not alone as many high achieving women focus on “what’s next” rather than taking time to celebrate what we’ve done and become. That’s a great point to include FUN goals each year as intentions. Hears to the 2015 of your dreams! Pam
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