10 minutes to clarity and direction (Follow along)

Today I have a simple method to help you find clarity and direction going forward.

At the start of a new year, we often find ourselves at the crossroads of reflection and anticipation. In this final newsletter of 2023, I want to share with you a short and simple process to reflect on the past year and project your course for 2024.

The holidays often mean that we break our weekly rhythms, flows and routines. To some this results in an uneasy feeling, others finally feel they can come up for some much needed air. The start of a new year is a great moment for some reflection and self-discovery.

What doesn’t work are hurried resolutions. You’re better off with a deliberate exploration of your past and a conscious shaping of your future. And this does not have to take long.

Join me as we go through 5 questions designed to illuminate your path and pave the way for a purposeful 2024. You can also follow along in real-time with the video version:

Writing down your answers is the key to clarity and direction

For the best results, answer these 5 questions to yourself in writing. Whether you are using pen and paper or create a digital note is up to you, but the act of actually writing these answers down is important. It helps your brain align decisions to these answers. Writing them down, makes them more real in a sense.

1. What do you want to do more of?

Imagine your life as a canvas, and amidst the myriad of colors, some colours beckon for more prominence. These are the activities that, though present, you want to do more often. Think in context of your work, your relationships, or your well-being, financials, et cetera. What deserves more attention and action?
Write it down. This act of externalizing your desires lends them substance. Why do you want to integrate more of this into your life? Articulate the reasons, and as you do, you’re giving form to your intentions.

Deep Dive: Consider the practical aspects. Is it about increasing the frequency of these activities or extending their duration? Let these aspirations become tangible, seamlessly woven into the fabric of your daily existence.

2. What do you want to do less of?

Next, shift your focus to the things that have perhaps dominated your life a bit too much. Identify the habits or activities that hinder your path to the radiant life you envision. What needs recalibration or adjustment and why?
Jot them down. This isn’t about abrupt change but a gentle, intentional shift. Articulate why these adjustments matter—whether it’s to free up time, enhance well-being, or declutter your mental space.

In-depth Exploration: Embrace the power of gradual reduction over complete elimination. Break down the steps needed for this shift, acknowledging that small, consistent changes pave the way for profound transformation.
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3. What do you want to start doing?

Consider the blank spaces on the canvas of your life. What activities or pursuits have been whispers in your mind, patiently waiting for their moment in the spotlight? Capture them on paper and, crucially, unveil the why behind these new beginnings.
Describe actionable steps or milestones. Starting is about that first step; make it tangible and attainable. What role do these endeavors play in aligning with your passions and aspirations?

4. What do you want to stop doing?

Peer into the shadows and address something that lingers—an activity or habit that doesn’t serve your journey. It could be a harmful habit or perhaps something neutral but unfulfilling. What can you bid farewell to?

Transformation Tip: Acknowledge the power of elimination, focusing on what truly aligns with your aspirations. Break a harmful habit or simply let go of what doesn’t bring joy or fulfillment.

5. What do you want to continue doing?

Zoom out and reflect on the past year. What practices have consistently brought you joy, fulfillment, or progress? Identify the elements you want to carry forward into the new year.

Write them down. Explain why they matter. Reinforcing positive habits is as crucial as forging new ones. How do these practices contribute to your overarching goals and aspirations?

In conclusion, embrace this reflective journey as you stand at the start of a new year. Answer these five questions, preferably in written form, and allow the act of articulation to guide your intentions. This isn’t just a routine; it’s unfolds a roadmap to infuse your decisions with purpose and intention.

Welcome 2024 with clarity, balance, and a commitment to your authentic journey.

I hope you’ll have a wonderful 2024. I’ll be right here along the way.

You got this! 🙌
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