Preparing for Your Best Year Yet
Was 2016 your favorite year? Or maybe it was second grade – when you had the teacher of your dreams – or the year you got married or started sleeping through the night again after having kids.
What does the idea of your “best year ever” look and feel like? Some people like to create vision boards to depict their goals and dreams while others prefer a journal, discussion with a friend or simply quiet meditation time. Nevertheless, the first step to living your best year yet is to envision it clearly.
- Be really specific. How will you spend your time? Who will you spend it with? What activities will be most important? What personal and professional goals are involved? When you have a tangible goal or ideal in mind, it will keep you on track.
- Be prepared to slow down. While running on adrenaline can be fun for a few weeks over the holidays, racing and rushing will eventually burn you out, leaving you depleted and feeling far less than your best. Give yourself permission now to slow down in 2017 and perhaps do a little less than you did in 2016. Less can be more when you’re choosing to live out your dreams.
- Be present. Taking some time to reflect on the past and future can be motivating and informative, but if you spend most of your time mulling over events that have already taken place or worrying about things to come, you miss out on the gift of the present. Let go of the distractions and stay focused.
- Be yourself. When you are your honest, authentic self, there is nothing to fake or force or hide. Give yourself permission to be more honest with yourself, your friends, family and acquaintances. In turn, you give others permission to do the same, leading to more genuine relationships.
“Every year has its beautiful moments and its challenges, which is part of the journey and adventure of our lives, but taking the time to be really thoughtful and intentional about what you hope to enjoy, recognize and share in 2017 can be a very powerful and fulfilling exercise,” said Dr. Amy Hammers. “And from all of us at Clinic Sofia, we wish you all the very best in the next year and for many, many years to come!”
