2017 A new year. A fresh start. A blank slate. Package your new year any way you wish.
What if you could package your new year exactly as you wish it to become? Something you’d unwrap a bit, month by month. Would you know what to plan for?
Being able to do that could feel exhilarating.
Or it could feel overwhelming… even a bit scary.
A lot of us end up doing one of two things when the idea of ‘What do I want‘ pops into our thoughts – especially as a new year begins:
We either put a lot of pressure on ourselves – creating goals, making lists and strategies, planning to achieve some big things like weight loss or fitness or making money or finding true love.
OR
We blow the whole thing off because we’ve had negative experiences in the past and/or we just don’t buy into the hoopla of the new year.
Personally, I think there’s a friendly middle ground. I place where you can create a clear vision of what you want to bring into your life in 2017, and with wisdom and wise planning, you can achieve it at a reasonable pace and in ways that work in your lifestyle. Going hog wild on creating all sorts of expectations for yourself can spin you out of success and into frustration, but staying in a rut of life where you really aren’t that happy but you don’t make any changes… that stinks just as much, if not more.
Here’s what I suggest for thinking about your new year
In my life – I really do want some significant change in my life in 2017, but I recognized a few weeks ago that I can easily set myself up for either success or failure. So I’ve been doing my research, and I even provided a motivational call a couple weeks ago to talk about the hows of planning a year.
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the replay, you can do so here.
But I thought I’d also share two other resources I found helpful:
I really like Tony Robbins. I know he uses the f-bomb a lot, can seem arrogant to some or intimidating to others – But truth is… the guy’s smart, successful, hard working, an amazing philanthropist, and pretty damn motivating. This video was really helpful to me (even though the beginning mentions January 15, 2017 and it’s the first?!)
In it he talks about how to make more compelling goals that PULL you rather than push you. Let’s face it, ‘Lose ten pounds’ is far less interesting than ‘Get my body back into its healthiest state so I can feel confident and run a 10K with my daughter.’ When you have reasons to do something, it’s much more of a puuuuuull and willpower isn’t needed so much.
I also enjoy much of what Danielle LaPorte puts into the world. She is a helluva writer for sure. Just like Tony, she’s a very successful woman who encourages a mass of people worldwide. Recently she shared the questions she uses to review her year, and I liked them, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. You might want to consider these questions as you think what you want in 2017.
So here’s my recount of 2016 in the world of Shannon – according to Danielle’s things to ponder:
What didn’t work for my 2016
Without giving details of exactly who and what, I’ll say that still not using my voice didn’t work. I’ve struggled my whole life with using my voice. I don’t want to upset others, I (naively) believe everyone desires to play nice, and I am often confused when they don’t (or, more clearly – they play downright dirty). Bottom line – I’m using my voice from here on out because not doing so just hasn’t worked for over 48 years.
Being inconsistent. In some life areas – no big deal. In others – big deal!
Trying to give up sugar. (maybe ‘try’ was the issue here?!)
Being alone as much as I am.
Too tired. Too stressed. Too little fun.
If you’re going to package your new year in an amazing way, you’ll need to think more about what works in your life
What did work for my 2016
Creating The Healing Journey – omg, I love love love this program and its people, and I know it was meant to come from me, my life experiences, and my heart. I can hardly wait to get it farther and farther into the world!
Practicing calm. Even when I learned about my father moving to hospice. Even when a bunch of shi* hit my fan in spring. Even when I was (again) undermined by the same two people with absolutely no rationale. Calm. Deal with what’s in front of me. Don’t linger in the past.
(and, as noted above, start using my VOICE)
Joining an A-MAAAAA-zing group of women for a professional mastermind group. Great minds, big hearts, even bigger dreams, and a ton of support and biz love.
Accepting others.
Being more present.
Continuing my daily sacred practice.
Getting back into yoga and jogging.
Highlights of my 2016
Enjoying time on Mackinac Island with my kiddos! God, I love being with them!
Officiating two weddings! Never would I have thought I’d do this, but it was a pure honor! I was especially touched as the two couples were wife and wife. I believe in allowing love in all ways, so bringing these women together in marriage meant a lot to me.
Watching my daughter work so hard to prep for college apps. So proud of her!
Having my son fall in love with sailing – and succeed like crazy. This was really awesome!
Finding my future retreat center in Tulum, Mexico. Now, dear Universe, just send a few million my way to create The Green Heart Healing Center!
(finally) Publishing The Year of Gratitude after changing its title to The Healing Gift of Gratitude. You may buy a copy HERE! (thank you thank you thank you!!!!!)
The Healing Journey – a program I am very proud of and excited about (I need to mention this twice!)
What does the 2017 look like for me
BE HERE NOW – especially with my kiddos.
Clarity on my end goals + CONSISTENCY!
Me – speaking (!!!!) – not only to those who don’t play nice, BUT also on stage, on camera, and on microphone
Creating my own PODCAST…. I’m super excited about this!
More fun, friends, and once-a-month ME DAYS to chill and celebrate all I accomplish (yes, these are already in my calendar)
Sacred Routine – never ever stopping that…. In fact, just finished ten years of this practice, which, ironically, HAS been a consistent part of my life. And this consistency has made all the difference.
Work on my next book – I’ve had a few in the works… need to focus on ONE!
Back in health – now that I know all is well, I need to tie the pieces together
Spread my message of healing pain in the past
Your dream year – to package your new year like an exciting gift to unwrap throughout 2017 – should be fun… a lot of fun!
I hope you’ll spend a bit of time over the next couple weeks creating a vision and plan. A good place to start are with the questions that I just answered. If you want to package your new year just as you wish it to be, you need to…
Know what you want.
Also know what doesn’t and does work in your life.
Have a vision in your mind.
Then create your plan – the one that pushes you and keeps you going because you want it so badly. You can mold it to fit your lifestyle, review it regularly, and keep your eye on the future you really want.
I look forward to hearing all you create in 2017!
Love and Hope,
Shannon