Traditionally as the new year draws in, we start thinking about all of the ways we will become better versions of ourselves in the new year, but this year feels different for a lot of us. 2020 saw monumental changes take place in all of our lives. Many of us lost loved ones, homes, jobs, relationships, businesses and freedoms, but there have been positives to gain for many of us too. The majority of us have spent less time at work and commuting, and with the world on lockdown there's been a lot less that we could or "needed" to do. This may have led to more time with family, time to focus on your physical or mental health, your hobbies that may have previously been neglected, or maybe just space to slow down, to decompress and take some time to think and reflect that we wouldn't usually allow ourselves.
As we approach the new year there is still so much that is uncertain, however this time around we get to consciously choose how we will step into this space. Your mindset and perspective are incredibly powerful things; they effect literally everything. You may have heard the phrase "where focus goes, energy flows" and nothing could be more true. Whenever we focus on something, whether positive, negative or neutral, we give it meaning via the emotions that we subconsciously attribute to it, and that meaning influences the actions we take and ultimately the results we get. If you're ready to take 10-15 minutes to dive into where your focus is and start making the shifts that will put you on track to consciously creating the next year, carry on reading!
Let's begin...
Take a moment now to grab a pen and paper, and start to write about the feelings that come up when you think about the upcoming new year. Are you excited or apprehensive? Are there any particular things that your mind is anticipating or choosing to focus on? How do these make you feel?
What you are going to do and how you are going to behave or react to any given situation is always driven by your emotion, ie. the meaning that you've attached to something. Reflecting on what just came up for you, how do you think you will act going in to the new year if nothing changes? Will your behaviour create the kind of life you want to live? Where will you be at the end of 2021 if your mindset stays as it is now?
Whether you like what you just wrote about or not, the great news is that you get to choose both what you focus on and the meaning that you attach to it. It takes a little practice (and for bigger things, this is where working with a coach can really help!) but if you stick with it, big shifts will soon start to take place. You've already identified where you are currently in regards to your perspective on the new year, the next step is to be clear on where you actually want to be. You're a lot more likely to get to your destination (and much more quickly!) if you know where you're headed, than if you just get in the car and drive around aimlessly. Pick up your pen and paper again and take a few minutes to write about what you want your life to look and feel like. Where do you want to be? What do you want to be doing, saying, thinking and feeling?
Once you know where you're headed, it's really important to regularly take time to sit back and recognise the emotions and meaning that you're attributing to situations in your life. Let's start by going back to the feelings and things you were focusing on in the first exercise. Are they helpful? Is there another way of seeing things that would help steer you towards where you ultimately want to be? Is this even something you need to focus on in the first place? Is there something else you can focus on instead that will better serve you and your goals?
The final step is to take some sort of action. If you have identified anything that needs to change to shift you towards the direction you want to be headed in, what can you do right now to take action towards it? Maybe you will tell a friend or family member so they can help keep you accountable, it may be a post it note on the mirror or a reminder on your phone to prompt you to shift your perspective, or maybe you need to book on to an online course, schedule a consultation, or something else. Do whatever it is you need to do to take the first step in your new, chosen direction. Start the momentum now.
Seriously, don't keep reading until you've done it!
Take a moment now to feel the difference in how you're feeling now vs at the beginning of the exercise. Hopefully you're feeling motivated and empowered to take charge and step up into 2021, but if you're not, repeat this exercise to dive into the root of those feelings and identify a way to refocus. Remember, you have the power to stop the train in it's tracks and redirect it to the destination that you choose. All it takes is practice, so please be sure to revisit this exercise regularly to get the most out of it.
If you enjoyed this blog post, you can subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the home page to receive future blog posts direct to your inbox, free of charge. For more information on how we can work together one on one to create the change you dream of in your life, head over to the booking page to begin your journey with a fully redeemable consultation.
Happy New Year,
Cheryl
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