2019 is special, it marks the end of the decade. The decade of the 2010’s will officially come to an end and the new decade of the 2020’s will begin.
You all have heard of yearly reviews but I would implore each and every one of you to take the time leading up to the beginning of next year to review the past decade of your life.
Many of you who read WomenOnTopp would have no doubt heard of Marie Forleo or even may follow her yourself, she is doing a ‘decade in review’ series over on her youtube channel which you will find useful (not sponsored).
While I have recommended this, I want to offer my own insights to what you could do to make the next year, the first year of the next decade, means something different.
Why am I using the word Different?
I specifically used the word differently, many have the false notion that just because we are heading into a new year that all of a sudden everything will suddenly fall into place, that everything will be better and we will automatically be happier.
While it can be agreed on the whole that there is something auspicious about New Year’s Day, the rest of the days that will follow will be exactly like the rest unless you decide it to be different.
Different is indifferent to whether what happens next is deemed ‘good’ or ‘bad’. It means less pressure is on you when you are trying to decide what you want next year to be about. It removes the idealistic pressure and notion of ‘New Year, New Life or New Me’.
However, to clarify, this does not mean you are to become complacent with your development process.
Language is important when it comes to our mindset, I wrote an article about this on WOT previously ”Mind you language mastering self talk”
Take Your Time
It’s okay not to have everything figured out in the countdown to the New Year. Take your time. I would recommend taking this time to focus more on reflection rather than planning ahead. You need to understand what has brought you to where you are today. Sometimes you need to do this first before you can understand what is next.
Focus and Be Still in the Moment
Be present. Evaluate and Understand who you really are now. You are not the same person a year ago, let alone 10 years ago. Embrace who you are now. Take a moment to see what and where you are, maintain the mindset that change is possible and where you are now is not where you will always be. Change is actually inevitable.
Celebrate Your Successes and Failures
It can be all too easy to focus on the challenges and failures of our past but it is important to also focus on the successes and the events or experiences that brought joy and happiness to you as well. There are lessons in both, there are things to be grateful for in both, it all contributed to who you are today.
Dream Big – Start Now – BE PATIENT
You need to think about what goals and ambitions are going to make YOU happy. Dream big yes, and understand that your vision and dreams are meant to be big, however, you are also meant to BE PATIENT. Manifesting what you want takes time, it takes dedication and daily consistent action. Every day is an opportunity to start, it doesn’t all begin and end on New Year’s Day or for the month of January. If you fall, get back up; if you waver, refocus; if you stop, start again; if you fail, learn from the mistakes and try again. Master your thinking, master your mental skills so you can keep your life game strong.
Sometimes you may not know what your dream or vision is. Many think goals and ambitions are only to do with work/career/business but it all starts with you. Everything in life is connected to you. Focus on yourself and work on your own personal journey before you try and figure out anything else. Self-development never ends, even when you think you have everything figured out.
Be Firm But Fair – Be Kind to Yourself
Be firm with your goals but be fluid with your methods. You don’t know what is going to happen in life no matter how much planning you do, be fluid and adaptable. Be kind to yourself when times require you to do so. If you self-deprecate yourself this will not serve yourself, others or your dreams and vision. Take care of yourself during the process, keep your mental, physical and spiritual health in good shape.
You got this!