Five Steps to help you soar into 2020

You may have a fresh start any moment you chose.
–Mary Pickford

Happy New Year to you!
Life is good.

Awaken your body, soul, mind and spirit and start your new year with clarity and purpose. Use this simple 5-step framework to help you identify and plan the best, most successful start to your new year.

Step One:

Picture yourself four weeks from now … what a month it was!

You embraced every opportunity, you were curious, your appetite for life was infectious and you had the energy to match your enthusiasm. Life was simply amazing; it was everything you wanted it to be and you are feeling pretty darn happy with yourself. You go girl!

What did those four weeks look like for you?

Write it down, don’t think too deeply, let it roll and use the categories below to help you. What did you do? How did you feel? Who were you with? Where were you? What were the obstacles in your way?

• Health and wellness
• Personal development
• Home life
• Work
• Other

Step Two:

Take your vision and categorize the details using the aspects listed above. After categorizing the information, create an action plan for how you plan to execute the action items, it doesn’t not have to be long and detailed. For example, I would like to gather all family photos my kids and husband have in clouds, phones, laptops, old and new and have them put together in one repository.

I would write ‘By end of Saturday xxxx have everyone sit at the dining table or remotely and copy photos over. Allow one hour.’

Consider if you need help to make it happen, perhaps financial assistance, expert advice, a friend as a sounding board, a gym membership.

What is the time frame for this task? Remember, you visualized these tasks as accomplished these things at the end of four weeks’ time.

Step Three:

Ensure your month is balanced. Have you made time to feed your soul as well as your family? When you looked back on your last four weeks did make time for your health and wellness, time to read a book, or listen to some podcasts, perhaps a massage?

The power of regular exercise and healthy eating can never be underestimated so make sure you add some workouts to your weekly schedule and plan to prepare some nutritious meals.

Step Four:

Calendar the action items on a piece of paper using an overlapping timeline. You will have a line for each of the topics mentioned above in addition to any other things you may need to add. This will help you visually see that your goals are attainable and prioritize them amongst your current tasks. Add lines for any prior commitments ensure you have the time and are in the right place to work on your action items. Be realistic; there is no point scheduling in a 5-day detox from 16-21st if you are away from home, this will set you up for failure. Once you have your rough draft enter them into your calendar with start and finish dates.

Step Five:

Mentally buy into the next month, manifest the thoughts, feelings and emotions that will accompany you while you work and play through the next 30 days.

Now that you’ve written down your goals you’re 42% more likely to achieve them. But your mind is the most powerful tool you’ve got and I have a feeling you’re not using it to really believe in yourself and what you’re doing.

Doubts are Normal

Question your self doubt. Where is it coming from? Is it logical? Do you need to do more research? Answer the questions at the root of your worry. I’d be willing to bet you just need more support for your goal, it does not mean you’re not capable. Go back to step three and double check that you’ve given yourself the resources and support you need.

What if it doesn’t all fit into your timeline? If you can’t make sense of the logistics, you will probably have to ask yourself what can go or can be scaled back. Look at the categories we’ve talked about and make sure you’re putting time into the things that really move the needle for YOU, not just others. You may also need to have this conversation with a spouse or loved one to get support. Maybe you need to schedule a house cleaner or set aside time to meal prep to open up time at different points in your days/weeks.

Be aware of your energy as you tackle each action item. Is it positive or negative? Be willing to call yourself out (even out loud) when your attitude is sub par. Negativity will push your successes away, but positivity will pull them to you (and other good things) like a magnet. If you have a goal that is particularly daunting write an affirmation and look in the mirror when you say it. Look yourself in the eyes and learn to believe the person in front of you. Trust yourself.

Remember, this is four weeks. Not four months, and definitely not the whole year. You can do this! If you need any help you know where to find me. I’d love to chat about your goals and learn about what drives your happiness. I also wholeheartedly want your feedback, so when you give this a go, tell me what you think!

Cheers to more joy than ever in 2020!
Zoë