Ending 2018 with Intention

I don’t know about you, yet 2018 has been a challenging year. Full of opportunity, learning experiences, and unforeseen happenings. As an ‘off the scale’ introvert, I relish in time for reflection of what ‘all this means’ and how I can continue to grow and fully reach my potential. I always look forward to this time of year. I am offering my annual questions for reflection – and this year, I am also offering a few suggestions on how to ‘keep growing and learning’.

Reflecting on 2018:

• How did I spend my time in 2018?
• What were my greatest accomplishments?
• What (and who) were my greatest disappointments?
• How did these experiences change me?
• How do I want to be different in January 2019 than in January 2018?
• What am I tolerating? Why? What steps can I take to make a change?
• What am I trying to force to happen? What would happen if I just ‘let go’?!

Planning for 2019:

• What will be my primary focus in 2019?
• What do I really want? What is still holding me back?
• What do I want to contribute to the world?
• How will I hold myself accountable?
• What is working for me? How can I have ‘more of that’?!!
• What kind of partners do I want in 2019?
• What may need to change? What are the first steps I need to take to make that change?
• At the end of 2019, where would I like to find myself? How do I get there?
• What is my intention for myself in 2019?

As we initiate our new 2019 calendar year AND recap 2018, here are a few basic tips to help keep us focused on whatever plan it is we are creating for our lives!

1. Take responsibility. Our lives are our own. No one else’s. We own it – let’s not give anyone else power over our dominion.
2. Visualize the end. If we write it down and then ENVISION reaching our goals – there is tremendous energy created.  Keep that ‘picture in mind’ and it is simply amazing how we will manifest that result. This can be losing weight, writing a book, building a business, etc. – picturing the end will indeed support our intention.
3. Embrace gratitude. For everything – the challenging, the heartbreaking, and the poignant. Every day this holiday season, try writing down 3 things for which you are grateful. These can be as simple as the clear, crisp morning skies or as profound as the role models your parents provided…..yet, what will happen is an amazing habit will be established and this is a beautiful thing.
4. Do the hard stuff. Let’s face it – life can be challenging, on every level. Death, illness, financial responsibilities, teenage children, etc.! Yet, what I have personally experienced, when we ‘look the tiger in the eye’, we feel and BECOME stronger. And when we manage getting through the situation – we feel better and more accomplished.
5. Extend yourself. When we establish real, vulnerable, and authentic connections AND relationships – we become truly connected to the Universe. No….this is not ‘woo woo’ talk….this is real, empowering, and enriches our lives with LOVE.
6. Hold yourself to your standard. Often, we need to ‘give ourselves a break’ – yes…..I ‘get it’. Yet, what I also believe for sure is that we have to step outside our comfort zone to continue to learn and grow. So, I am personally challenging myself to do at least one difficult thing every single day.  This is ‘my standard’ for myself – and this will help me push myself to continue to make the most of my life and my contribution. AND it will help me re-frame my attitude relative to challenges and the role these situations play in our lives.

Blessings to you and yours during this holiday season and into the new 2019 year.