There is a reckoning that most people do at the end of the year in preparation for the New Year. It’s a process of evaluation, a coming to terms with what you said you wanted and what actually happened. And It’s a process of determining what’s important for the New Year.
If you are being honest with yourself, this reckoning is an internal process that is more than setting goals. I know, I’ve been doing this for close to 30 years. This ritual of looking over the goals that I’ve written down for the year and writing out what really happened, then setting my new year’s goals is very satisfying. What’s important is I’m never 100% on board with what I say I want to do and what happened. Hence the reckoning.
Here’s some things to consider for your reckoning.
HONOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE
Always validate and appreciate what you have learned, achieved and gained over the year. I write my plans down in a little book so I can revisit them on New Years Day, checking off what I did. On the opposite side of the page, I write what actually happened. With those unexpected twists and turns with family, health or travel, notice what you managed and did well, making surprising new things happen – doing your best.
EXPLORE WHAT YOU HAVEN’T
Also notice the things that didn’t happen. If you’ve been tracking this for years, notice what you routinely say will happen, but it never does. (Forget the diet). It’s time to get real with yourself and understand the “why” of something not happening. There is always a reason, the real one being that you didn’t make it a priority. Meditating more has been taking a back seat to my business. I really do want to change that, so I have to say to myself, “If it’s important, I need to treat it as important”.
LET YOUR GREATEST GOOD GUIDE YOUR NEW YEAR’S PLANS
What’s significant to you at this stage of your life? Consider letting those things that serve your greatest good be your guide to your New Year’s plan. There’s the have to, the want to and for the joy of it. Be sure to include the things that expand and lift you. Have fun with this!
How’d you do this year? It you want support for your reckoning, reach out.
