Week #277 – Happy New Year — and Welcome to 2020!!!
As I mentioned last week, I hope you made some time over the holidays to look back at 2019 and CELEBRATE the things that went right.
And, I hope you have a plan in place to keep track of the good stuff that will come your way in the year — and decade — ahead. Because we are on our way!
I just returned to Los Angeles after a week home on the East Coast. I’m barely unpacked, let alone un-Christmased — but I did take some time on New Year’s Day to sit down and reflect on the year past and the year ahead, using some of my favorite Year-in-Review tools:
“ONE WORD” — A few years ago I ran across a little red book called The ONE WORD That Will Change Your Life. The gist is this: while contemplating the year ahead — and working through a few questions (in the PDF on the website: www.getoneword.com) — you come up with ONE WORD that encapsulates what you want the year to mean to you. Then, you make a plan to keep it front and center to live out daily. What ONE WORD would you like to make your focus for 2019?
YEAR-END REVIEW — David Allen (author of Getting Things Done) offers a series of “Year-End Review” questions on his website (and, more recently, in a podcast episode) that prompt you to “complete and remember” the year behind — and “create” the year ahead. (The links are from previous years so just modify the years to 2018/2019.) You can move through this list quickly with first thoughts — or spend lots of time really unpacking things. What would you like to create for yourself in 2019?
CLEAN SWEEP — Another favorite is the “Clean Sweep Assessment” — a more mathematical measurement of personal satisfaction in four key areas of our lives: physical environment, personal well-being, money, and relationships. How do you tally up?
GOAL SETTING — There is always traditional goal-setting — take a dream and use the “SMART” acronym to break it down into: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound action steps. Just remember to put a little WHY behind your WHAT — and consider an even SMART-ER approach by adding EMOTION and RESULT to the mix by asking WHY? (“So that I can FEEL…” and “So that I can achieve/accomplish/acquire/arrive at/accept…etc.”)
FIRST 90 DAYS — A dear friend turned me on to the idea of quarterly goal setting/reviews when I first made the move to Los Angeles, and it seems to be the thing more recently. Rather than set goals for the entire year — especially when we’re uncertain about what an entire year will bring — set short-term goals for the next 30/60/90 days and reassess at regular intervals.
BIG ROCKS FIRST — This is an idea that resonated with me this year as I am committing to making more space for new things to come into my life. We’ve all heard the story of the teacher who challenges his/her class to fill a jar to maximum capacity using rocks, sand, and water. The best strategy, of course, is to put the big rocks in first. I’m starting January by just putting the biggest, most important rocks into my schedule — and adding as I go.
HABITS — And for all you compulsive types trying to build a daily habit — check out Jerry Seinfeld’s excuse-busting “Don’t Break the Chain” method (it’s not just for writers)! Or Google “habit tracker” to see how bullet journalers set up simple grids to create habits and hold themselves accountable daily.
Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: If you haven’t done so already, take some time this week to reflect on the year past — and to think about the year ahead. What are your goals, dreams, aspirations, and visions? Where do you want to be next year this time? How are you going to measure your success? What habits would you like to build? What are your big rocks? And what is your WHY?
And if you have a favorite reflection or goal-setting tool that you use, please share it with me in the comments or via email. And if there is some way that I can help you set a goal that will Spread Happyness to you or someone you love in 2020, please let me know that too!
Spread Happyness — share your dreams, goals, aspirations, or favorite tools in the comments! And best wishes for good health, Happyness, and wholeness in 2020!!!
1/3/20 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com
Hey Grace,
Great, thought stimulating entry.
My one word would be faith. Faith that God will continue to direct and support me.
I finished book after a very long time. Hopefully it might help someone else and allow the past to stay there.
I set goals. Daily, short term and long term. Resting on my dresser. Working out is on list but…need to resolve back pain.
Sadly, looking back has been very painful. Time to say bye-bye.
A few health problems and ongoing $$$ concerns. My heart’s desire is to live out my life in the place that provided me with peace, confidence and allowed me to help others.
I am blessed to be loved even if that love is far away.
Oh, I started to paint. In fact I just put on my adorable painting outfit. The elastic in the waist of these stretch pants broke so, I hold them up with a clip. Very attractive.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Anne! I hope the birthing of your book-baby helps you put the past to rest and move fully (and health-fully) into the present. May the very best be yet to come!!! (And yes, I’ve seen your painting outfit…just keep painting!!!)