Tis the season to look back so we can move forward in the days ahead. But, if you’re like me, you might not be such a resolution-oriented person. When I’ve made them (rare as those instances are), I’ve been terrible at following through, so I’ve stopped making them. That said, I’ve been learning to evaluate my days and years based on my values, commitments, and frankly, what I felt like at the end of the previous year, in order to develop a sustainable plan for growth in the new year.
In all transparency, I felt exhausted at the end of last year. There were a few reasons for my state of being and as I looked deeper, I found three items that contributed in a big way …
The time allotted and the level of work required for some of my consulting clients was simply unbalanced. I was consistently aware of all of the items that weren’t being completed (yet still on my plate) and it was draining not being able to check things off my list while adding new things to it.
Related to this, I was spending a lot of my time overseeing work in areas that I’m competent in, but not gifted in and this zapped my energy.
I didn’t structure my time in a way that allowed me to fully focus and as a result, I was pulled in a lot of directions daily which took quite a toll on me.
And, all of this led to me spending the rest of my time more in recovery than fulfilling the commitments I’d made to myself to move a few personal and professional items forward last year.
When I think of my core values and look at this list, it’s immediately clear why I was so tired. I didn’t use my time as wisely as I could have, I felt disjointed because I lacked structure and connection, I really needed to say more ‘no’ than I said ‘yes’ in some instances, and all of this led me into a less healthy place. It’s humbling to look back and take responsibility for how I showed up and what led me to the place of exhaustion. And, it’s encouraging to do exactly that because it has been the very ‘kick in the pants’ I’ve needed to make changes.
Here’s what I came to and what I’ve begun practicing thus far …
The most important item to tackle was my time. My schedule was a mess! I reoriented my weeks and began by blocking full and half days that I would be available for different clients and the important work involved in building both of my companies. (The latter typically gets put on the back-burner which is very backwards!)
Because I reoriented to blocks of time, my focus is maintained for each client and I have been able to write out the very long list of “priorities” and determine what’s actually most important, working from there to avoid that same unbalanced experience. New things are evaluated based on the current trajectory and organized up or down that list, and I’ve already been speaking up a lot more when a new piece of work is introduced into a current process to determine if I will take it on or not.
When it comes to operating in my gifts v. my competencies, I’m still determining how to best approach change in this area. For the time being, I am still needing to complete projects that relate far more to my competencies and sometimes, that’s just part of it in certain seasons. But, the biggest change I’m noticing related to this is how reorienting my schedule has improved my overall energy which definitely helps me show up better in my days.
It’s not a perfect process, but it can ensure forward momentum. The truth is, if you and I make even one significant but small course correction this year, it really can result in a “New Year, New You” reality. Why is that? Because making the right adjustment can act like a domino effect. I’m just 2.5 weeks into practicing my new schedule and I’m already experiencing the profound nature of this change. I feel lighter, clearer on the boundaries around my time, more purposeful and accomplished within those blocks of time, and somehow I’m also resting, moving, and cooking more. Those additions were a part of a hope I had related to what I needed in my non-work time, but not necessarily a planned outcome and I’m so amazed that they’ve become a natural flow.
So, I ask you …
What’s working for you right now? What’s not? What worked for you last year? Do you think that’ll work again? Are you satisfied with your life on the whole right now? What makes it satisfying? What keeps you from experiencing true satisfaction? What’s draining the life out of you? What’s one small, but significant adjustment you might try to move forward?
If you’re in a place where you could use a little refresher on how your thoughts and beliefs are powerfully shaping your life or how practicing healthy boundaries could benefit you, why not enroll in one of my online courses (on your schedule and at your pace), and dive into some personal development this year? I’m regularly practicing (and practicing and practicing) what I teach and coach you through myself. I know you and I can keep moving forward, living lightly and purposefully in our days this year. If I can help in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.