Have you ever watched the Italian job where those little cars are hurtling like crazy down the narrow Italian streets, across the bridges in an epic car chase? I have an aerial view of that in my head right now and it’s how I feel about the end of this year. Here I am, me, a little mini careering down alley ways, avoiding potholes and trying to survive as things come to a rapid close. Where did the year go? Did I like it?
It’s hard to say “yes, it was a good year,” or “no, definitely not” when in actual fact most of life is a mixed bag. As the year draws to a close there are things I like to think about, there are things I like to do to set me up for a win for next year. A win sounds a bit like one of the TV Marketer’s “Here’s how you WIN at life,” so let’s rephrase for a second. I like to insure that I approach the new year with a healthy mindset, healthy attitudes so it’s more likely to be a “good year” than a “let me never relive that again ever.”
- Reflect on the year that has passed
“I believe that evaluated reflection turns experience into insight. So, I evaluate what I did so that I gain insight for what I should be doing in the New Year.” John Maxwell
At the end of the year I like to take time off to “think”. Meaning, I literally sit down and think about the year that passed. What went well? What didn’t? I look at all the areas of my life: businesses, relationships, finances and family and ask myself: how did it go, and why?
I revise my life plan – that vague “this is where I want to go,” thing in my head with the new information I have acquired.
This time and planning sets me up to make the best critical decisions to live the most purposeful life I can in the year ahead.
2. Stay Positive
Why carry the bad stuff across? A New Year means new things; it means change. I take time at the end of the year to do a “healthy heart check”- what are the issues nagging and tearing at my heart. Where do I have bitterness or disappointment? I do a forgiveness session where I forgive everyone who I feel has hurt me. I also forgive myself.
3. Be thankful
I write down every good thing I can remember from the past year. I also ask: “What do I want to be thankful for one year from now?
4. Simplify
What is there in your life which really doesn’t need to be there. What can you edit out which would leave the greater whole healthier and more productive. I decide what I am going to spend more and less time on this next year.
5. Set compelling goals
Dream again. What is your dream and how is it going? Are you allowing yourself to dream a little? What makes you smile? What makes you happy? Are you going for it, are you taking it into account, are you moving towards it?
6. Break it down
Break down your bigger strategic goals into smaller and more achievable chunks. Think about what you want to accomplish by the END of the year and then work backwards so you have milestones and it is less intimidating. Your day is your week, is your month, is your year.
7. Unplug
There is nothing on the planet that can replace rest. Relax, the year is nearly done and you deserve a well-earned rest. “The single most important thing I do to set myself up for the best year ever is take the last two weeks of December off,” Andy Stanley. If you don’t take time out you won’t have the energy to get up and crush it next year.
I’m excited for the new year. In fact, I’m excited to sit down and do my planning and strategy (all this stuff above). We can all accomplish the things that matter most in each of our lives this coming year, if we apply some thought and intention to our year-end.