Finish Strong - Start Fresh

As we draw to the end of 2019, I find myself taking stock, not only of the year, but also of the decade. I love to look at the bigger picture at see what I have accomplished, experienced, completed, and learned. I remember even as a kid, loving the end of the year and beginning a new one – it’s kind of like going back to school in September, but with even more promise! This seems like a great opportunity to reset and start fresh. There is a lot of attention on setting resolutions and goals for the year ahead, but I see it a bit differently now.

According to Forbes.com, less than 25% of people are still working their New Year’s resolutions 30 days after they begin, and a mere 8% actually achieve them. Those are rather daunting stats to be sure. So rather than setting New Year’s resolutions that fail and give you an opportunity to be down on yourself, it might be time to try something new.

This doesn’t have to be a complicated exercise. So let’s keep it simple.

How to Finish Strong?

You have just a few days left in this year. What needs to be completed? What can carry-over?

What do you want to DO this holiday season, and even more importantly, how do you want to BE? Self-compassion, self-care (putting on your own oxygen mask first, as they say!), and giving yourself permission to do those things that fill you up rather than depleting you is key here!

Now to Start FRESH – both the new year and the new decade of the 20’s!

First off, ensure you have a bit of time to think and reflect. Set aside an hour of quiet time. (Stop the shopping, wrapping, busy-making, attending events, and give yourself time). 

Next, grab your 2019 calendar, any journal, or online app that helps you review your year. I don’t know about you, but trying to remember specifics that happened all the way back to last January is challenging. Having your calendar, daytimer, or whatever calendaring app you use handy makes it easy to go back and review.

Start with gratitude…what are you grateful for in 2019?

Now that you are in a gentler place, ask these three questions:

What do I need to stop doing?

What do I need to continue doing?

What do I need to start doing?

Starting Fresh in 2020

2020 is a fresh start, a chance to reset the dial on habits you want to change, perspectives that might be more life-affirming, connections that work for you rather than against, situations, work, and learning that is meaningful and brings satisfaction and dare I say it – JOY-filled!

First, give yourself Grace – forgive what wasn’t perfect last year, and let go of what needs to be let go (including being Perfect!) (Include those things on your STOP list)

Continue and Start…

Celebrate: Bring forward your wins and any big learnings. We are often so busy jumping into the new year, we forget to celebrate the accomplishments, the wins, the successes (big and small!).

What do you need to Start doing?

Check in with your heart…What are your biggest dreams for 2020 – what makes your heart really sing?

How do you want to feel? I mean really feel? Energized, Open, Free… explore what calls to you…

What strengths do you really want to own and develop? How can you leverage them this year?

Be courageous, dream big…the possibilities are endless!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year’s to all! Let’s make 2020 the best year yet!