As we prepare to turn the calendar to a new year, many of us look forward to new beginnings, changes, and plans for the months ahead. In the shared energy of this season, it’s easy to focus on what we want to change and how we’re going to do it. But effective goal setting and personal change requires a combination of reflection, creative vision, and strategic planning. I’ll be sharing some techniques for all three of these over the next few weeks.
Fully appreciating and understanding the year that’s ending provides a strong foundation for envisioning what you want from the new year and designing plans to make that happen.
So, for today, join me in filling up your 2013 Treasure Chest: a place to record successes and memories from this year. Your Treasure Chest might be a file or folder on your computer, or a section of a journal notebook or three-ring binder. Include lists, notes, photographs, drawings or any other form that appeals to you. Start with a list of 20 good things from 2013. And if 20 seems like too many, then try for 25. (Seriously.) Big or small, it doesn’t matter. Recording the small things in particular is important, as we’re likely to overlook them in the months ahead.
Here are some questions to get you started in filling up your 2013 Treasure Chest:
- How were you successful this year?
- What did you enjoy this year?
- Who did you connect with in a positive way?
- What habits served you well this year?
- What was delightful, delicious, or surprising this year?
- What places did you enjoy the most this year?
- What objects did you appreciate this year?
- What beauty did you experience?
- What did you learn this year?
- What other good things happened this year?
Your Treasure Chest becomes a resource for remembering the goodness of 2013 — and a foundation for beginning to imagine and create a wonderful 2014!