Perhaps like me the end of the year brings about a need or desire to reflect. Time away from a daily grind or usual routines and perhaps some time off give us space to think about the year and then about the future. I am BIG on identify and purpose, and so I wanted to share with you some alternatives to a ‘new year resolution’ that I think are far more useful to chart a course by.
- Back in 2020 I shared an article on defining your Values here https://silahorizon.wordpress.com/2020/12/19/values-and-purpose-for-happiness/.
- During the year I wrote about a new trend that I also adopted on ‘word of the year’ in https://silahorizon.wordpress.com/2023/07/12/intent/.
- 2018 I shared about personal narratives in this one https://silahorizon.wordpress.com/2018/01/24/our-narrative/
- And then there is an activity I may have mentioned across a few articles but becomes the glue – noting / recording and reflecting.
So let’s bring them together and I will share with you exactly what I will be doing over my break.
Values
Do a ‘Vision Board’: I redo mine at least every year or less. Vision boards can take on many shapes from magazine cut out pictures and words, to your own art, to words or even computer based. The process is around visualising or describing the life you want. It doesn’t have to be a collections of things, it could also be a collection of feelings, an environment, a version of you. There are no rules beyond spending some time to really think about what would life be if anything was possible.
List your Values: As outlined in this article, create a list of your intrinsic value words. How you want to show up that if you do you will be happy and proud of yourself. I have eight words at the moment, words that I reflect on twice a day to recognise I am living by them and to help me focus on continuing to. You can find some lists online to get you started.
List your Passions: What brings you joy. And if you can’t think of anything lately then go back in time and find something you once enjoyed.
Pick a Word of the Year
Find yourself a word for the year. As discussed here, I really love this concept of finding a word that frames everything I do and who I am for the year. Last year it was Intent and it really helped me go deep spending my time wisely and aligned to my vision and values.
I suspect my words will continue to be very close or related to my values. Find a word that will inspire and keep you focused for the year. Less about a specific goal to achieve and more about how you want to be.
Reflect on your Narrative
Now that you have a bit of a picture on where you are heading. Have a think about who that person is verse who you are today. Perhaps you are hanging on to stories that will limit your vision? Telling yourself to you too introverted to be successful at business? Hold onto unhealthy relationships because you feel compelled or that you must to be a good person. Work a job because money means success for you, but you are tired or unhappy.
One approach here is to get stuck into journalling on this for a bit. The more you think the more you will probably discover. And there is no right or wrong, it is up to you to define what your narrative looks like. This is an opportunity to see if any are working against you and exploring where they came from in case you want to ditch them.
Lastly – Record and Reflect
The thing about all these types of activities is they often fail because they aren’t kept in the day to day. Put your vision board up on a wall where you will see it. Same with your values and passions. These days technology can help a lot in keeping them real; I use an app called Daylio to check-in. I roll in other stuff as well, but twice a day I look over my values’ and passions’ lists to recognise I made time or frame of mind to live by them. Its not all days and not all of them, but the process also prompts me to reflect on how I might have done some things differently, or what I need to do tomorrow to change where I am at. You could use a journal if you want, or even just a 5 min reflection looking over your vision board and lists on the wall.
All the best with it, and as always please feel free to reach out if you want to discuss, share your ideas or ask any questions.
Warmest
Jason
Jason Waddell 