So it’s that time of year when we start setting intentions for the new year. Goal setting, manifesting, desire mapping, vision-boarding, bucket-listing, praying – all running hot right now through people’s minds, bodies, journals and cork boards.
’tis the season to celebrate goals!
As another year draws to an end, it naturally becomes a time in our lives for reflection.
Is it just me, or do the years actually speed up every year? I’m sure they do, there must be some logical explanation, like the earth must rotate at increasing speed or something. . . how is it less than 5 days till Christmas already?!
And because the time goes by so quickly, and we lead our lives at such a fast pace, I’m a big fan of taking time out. I put time aside for me, for solitude and some down time. Where I can have peace and quiet, alone, with no distractions, and can sit peacefully with my thoughts for personal reflection.
I mostly do this in my morning meditation, but I also love setting time aside regularly to journal, to think, to dream and to tap back into myself. Today was one of those days. I took my goal book and a pen to the beach, and reflected on the year that was. I now feel proud of what I’ve achieved, and invigorated by the possibilities for the year to come!
So cast your mind back to this time last year. . . How were you feeling? Where were you? What were your goals for 2013?
Reflect on the last 12 months, how has the year been for you?
Ask yourself –
- what did I achieve, both personally and professionally?
- What were my biggest successes?
- my hardest failures?
- What’s the most important lesson I learned?
- What are you most grateful for in 2013?
Take some time now to write down your answers.
“Take pride in how far you’ve come, and have faith in how far you can go.”
As I think back over the year that’s been, I realise how massive it was for me personally. There have been big highs and lows. But as I sit here today, back home after a long whirl-wind journey across the globe, I am so happy for where I have landed. I feel as though I am exactly where I need to be. That is a wonderful feeling.
I ticked some big goals off my list this past year. But it’s only on reflection that I realise that. Once I achieve a goal, I’m always so eager to get started on the next one! I don’t often take the time to really acknowledge myself, and give myself a pat on the back.
Celebrating our successes is such an integral ingredient to goal setting. Yet one that we often skimp out on (me included).
Well enough of that. Achieving our goals is pretty dam fantastic, and I’m going to celebrate them here with you! Here’s what’s getting a BIG TICK on my goal list:
2013 Goal Crushes
Personal:
- travelled south america; trekked to Machu Piccu, adventured through the amazon jungle, and sailed the Galapagos Islands
- lived overseas in Canada
- saw three more natural wonders – Iguazu Falls, Niagara Falls & the Grand Canyon
- celebrated my 30th birthday with my twin sister in North America
- did my first U.S.A road trip!
Career:
- began my first blog
- started my own business
- lead Vision & Goal workshops at primary and secondary schools
Health:
- attended my first yoga retreat
- conquered crow pose (yay!)
- started my own meditation & yoga practice
- learnt how to snowboard
Wow – it has been a big year! And the best bit? I like who I’m becoming in the pursuit of my goals.
The goals I set for myself this year really pushed me to grow, to develop, and to expand myself.
Reviewing and reflecting (and of course – CELEBRATING!) our goals is an important step in goal setting. It get’s us connected to where we have been, where we are now, and also get’s us clear on where we want to go.
So what are you celebrating for 2013?
Let the confetti reign, and that champagne POP!
You are freakin awesome!
Celebrate your victories, you fought hard to get here.
the paradox of our time
I find travelling the perfect time for reflection.
With travel comes time away from my every-day life, time to just be. No commitments, no appointments, nowhere to rush to, or work to get done. It’s a golden time that we don’t often get in our busy daily lives.
You may have already read the piece below floating around in cyber-space, but I encourage you to re-read it. See what fresh new perspectives come to you today. I have been thinking about many of these aspects since being away, and wanted to share it with you . . .
“The paradox of our time in history is that
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment;
more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired,
read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We’ve added years to life, not life to years.
We’ve been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We’ve done larger things, but not better things.
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We write more, but learn less.
We build more computers
to hold more information
to produce more copies than ever,
but have less communication.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;
tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, but more divorce;
of fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality,
one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do
everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.”
Every time I read this, it causes me to stop and think about my lifestyle, and the way our society has evolved.
We have greater progression, more information and faster technology – all designed to improve our lives. Yet while we receive many benefits, what are the hidden costs we pay?
I certainly identify some of my personal demons in this piece, and as I read it, I am reminded to slow down and take note of the important things in my life – my values, the person I choose to be, time in nature, my health (both physical and mental), and my relationships with others.
I am also reminded of my purpose behind the work that I do – by this line in particular: ‘We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.’
What do these words highlight for you?
What are some of the high costs you pay for the way you choose to live? Think about areas of your life you are neglecting, or things you are currently missing out on.
Perhaps from this, you realise there is a shift you need to make in your current lifestyle. What are you committed to changing?
And from this shift, what are the benefits you look forward to reaping?
What do you have to gain by letting something go?
