Each year I like to do some sort of exercise to take stock of what was good and what could be improved from the last year and dream/plan for the next year. I’ve written a lot of helpful posts, if I do say so myself, with different flavors of goal setting and reflecting.
- Ideas on how to clean up and prep for a new year
- How To Set Qualitative Resolutions
- Goal setting and questions to ask yourself
- How to create a mantra
- Set Principles, Not Resolutions
Most of the time the formula is fairly similar: think about the last year, decide what you want in the new year, and create a guide for yourself accordingly.
I’ve had the most success when I keep it simple and memorable (like my mantra of “be disciplined, be gracious, be kind”). Halfway through 2022 I found myself feeling overwhelmed and created a list or priorities as a reminder of what I actually needed to focus on and care about. For 2023, I’m planning to set aside time for reflection before the new year and redefine my priorities.
It’s always a tough balance for me to have hopes for the future while recognizing what I can and cannot control. Is is the same for you? Here are the steps I am going to take to define my priorities for 2023.
Reflect, reflect, reflect
If you search on Pinterest for “journal prompts for reflection” you will have hundreds to choose from. You could even check out my post on journal prompts to prepare for the future. Before you jump into the fun of planning for the next year, take a clear look at how you spent your time in 2022 and what you prioritized. How do you feel about where your time went? Were you focused on healthy or unhelpful people and actions?
Dream
I like to go on Pinterest and create a secret board for the new year with a few select quotes and images that I can revisit. In 2021 I made a desktop background with those images and it was super helpful to be reminded of what I was trying to bring to life each day. It can be easy to jump right into creating goals and priorities, but the step of dreaming, where nothing is too far out of reach, is the perfect time to think big and really imagine what is possible.
Prioritize
I mentioned that halfway through 2022 I created priorities for the remainder of the year. I narrowed it down to a just a handful and saved them in a note on my phone to be revisited often:
- Enjoy NYC – museums, events, embracing staying in town, seeing friends
- Do a great job at work – try my best each day, be strategic with my time, keep an open mind about the next job I want, cultivate a positive mindset
- Spend time with family – hosting Thanksgiving, making a summer trip to the Coris
- Read, museums, create – keep doing the hobbies I love and sharing them
Each time I was looking at my calendar for the week or making plans I would try to revisit my priorities. This was so incredibly helpful and I love this method of planning for the year.
I’m going to find some uninterrupted time (preferably at Maman’s with a croissant in hand) to reflect, dream, and define my priorities for the year. I hope this post helps you to do the same!
How do you like to prepare for the new year?
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