The definition of year includes 12 months. While the suggestion is that January is month one and December is month twelve, consider:
Does your personal cycle have 12 months? More? Less?
Does your personal cycle begin with January and end with December?
As I write today, it is December 1, 2016. My personal year runs from March through February so I'll not be completing my EOY review this month. I am continuing with my March 1, 2016 commitment: The year my wings spread wider and I am lifted higher - and carry US forward for the sake of healing, growth, essence revealed, consciousness evolving and love. As the next step on my 2016-17 journey, I am entering December open. I am open to what is happening in the world around me and to discerning my response. I am open to wider vision and more spaciousness. I am open to being love.
If now, December, is your time to do an annual review, then mark your calendar for a minimum of two hours, maximum of 4-8 or maybe an entire weekend to do your personal year-end, year-begin process.
Why do a year-end review?
As your personal calendar year draws to a close, I'd like to invite you into a very intentional pause - a pause to reflect, release, soak up the learning, and set intention. Think about this statement:
Today is merely the sum of past choices.
If that is true, then we need to look first at what is and how we got here. Then, we decide if "here" is where we want to stay and, if not, vision where we want to "go". Finally, we set the course for the journey ahead. Notice that we don't dwell in the past. We look at it in order to get a clear picture of how we arrived in today so we can make informed choices about tomorrow.
Ready?
Step One: What is present now?
First, we'll begin by noticing what is present now. Take a few moments to get quiet, become still. If you meditate, consider using meditation before each step of this process.
What do your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies reflect?
Step Two: How did you get here?
Second, how did you get here? Take a look at the year just ending:
What did you do?
Who did you spend time with?
What habits did you practice?
What did you avoid?
In what ways did you honor your personal core values?
In what ways did old belief systems, inner gremlins, take charge and divert you from your intentions?
What breakthroughs happened?
What accomplishments are you celebrating?
In what ways did you let your unique essence shine in the world?
Refer back to your daily planner, if it would help, to jog your memory!
Step Three: What will be different?
Third, what do you want to be different one year from now? Pretend it is 12 months down the road. Answer that first question again:
What do your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies reflect?
Step Four: Get clarity on the year ahead
Finally, use the cards below to assist you in clarifying your action steps for the upcoming year. Click on the image that is speaking to you in this moment and let the questions guide you.
If there was a single overriding theme for the year ahead of you, what would it be? Create a statement:
2014: The year I ______ for the sake of _____. 2014: The year I say YES to new opportunities for the sake of my fully empowered self! 2014: The year I listen to my heart's truth for the sake of my growth.
With that theme in mind, consider breaking the year ahead into quarters or months, and create a simple focus, a stake for your personal life leadership, for each. Here are some examples:
2014-Q1: The quarter I love myself into full expression! 2014-Q2: The quarter I courageously market my business! 2014-March: The month I tell the world about Inspiration Cards!
2014-June: The month I create a daily meditation practice in nature
2014-December: The month I connect to my inner self and share from gratitude in my relationships.
Mark your new year calendar with these simple, clear intentions and remind yourself daily as the year moves on.
Step Five: Enhance your support system for the year ahead
Consider whether life coaching would be the ultimate in support for your expansive life in the new year:
