Looking at the title of this post you might think it’s New Years. No, you’re not mistaken. We didn’t suddenly fast-forward to the end of the year when most people naturally think about setting goals for the coming one. I’m a fall person. After the more laid-back feel of summer I look forward to August and the months between now and the end of the year. It’s when I have the most energy. It’s when I coalesce what I want the coming year to be about.
I gave up resolutions a number of years ago. They just don’t work for me. Well, for most people either–without the right amount of support and mental change that’s required to make ‘em stick. Instead…
I start with a theme of the year
Last year it was Freedom. Having a theme helps me focus my attention and helps me to set goals. Once I have the theme I start to develop goals. I usually break them down by the quarter since a year is an awfully long time and usually the goals I have in mind are pretty meaty. Having a theme and some specific goals is key.
What I accomplished in 2009:
- Moved to Boulder (with no job and no friends)
- Got back into climbing
- Allowed myself to go to zero (the most amazing freedom I’ve ever felt)
- Finally found work/life balance (HUGE freedom for a recovering Type A)
- Fell in love for the first time in 5 years (it didn’t last but it was glorious)
- Went snowboarding for the first time (and didn’t suck at it)
This Year’s Theme
This year’s word is Alignment. Going inside out rather than outside in to create a life that really allows me to find (and stay) in my flow. One of my goals for this year was to travel more–something I love but haven’t always made a priority. So far in 2010 I’ve traveled to:
- Aspen
- Austin
- Breckenridge & Frisco
- Los Angeles
- Ouray
- Santa Fe & Taos
- Telluride
Whaddaya think? Are you with me?
Three Quick Steps to Really Change Your Life
1. Develop a theme. (Focus)
2. Write down your goals. (Specificity)
3. Share them publicly. (Accountability)
What’s your theme?
What do you plan to accomplish this month?
This Quarter?
This Year?
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[...] using for a number of years. For those of you who don’t know–instead of resolutions I focus on a word for each year. This word is really a theme that I want to focus on for the coming year. My word for 2010 was [...]
[...] using for a number of years. For those of you who don’t know–instead of resolutions I focus on a word for each year. This word is really a theme that I want to focus on for the coming year. My word for 2010 was [...]