The Radical Year Review (that you don’t have to complete by January 1) Start 2018 POWERFULLY
I’ve quietly ushered in 2018. What a relief to let go of the pressure of making just the right New Year’s intentions. Jeez, how many years did I struggle to find the perfect word or phrase that was going to make everything finally fall into place? (Lots! And it never did!)
I spent some time on New Year’s Day taking a good, honest look back at 2017. The theme of my year was Release and Re-create—and I found myself doing plenty of both.
The year had its ups and downs for me, my business and a lot of my clients. My Dad died in May, and I made space to grieve and not “push through” it as I normally would. I allowed myself to be fully immersed in all the feelings.
My three kids each had their own successes in 2017—for that I am grateful: Football, fishing and work promotions, to name just a few. And we all took an amazing Alaska trip together last summer. I’ve worked with fantastic clients, held several retreats, and met my goal to speak at more events. And I did a lot of what I call “radical decluttering”.
These first few weeks of January are a perfect time to reflect, radically declutter, and really envision what you want this year to be—personally and professionally. (Please let yourself off the hook if you let New Year’s Day come and go without doing a ritual!)
I am calling 2018 my Year of Ease and Authenticity.
Bring on the truth and the flow—along with cool, new experiences and some major business growth!
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Here’s my 3-step New Year’s Ritual:
Create space and time for this exercise. Print out this checklist. Have a pen and blank paper or journal handy. Turn off your phone and laptop, close your door, and for a few minutes, just be with you.
REVIEW
Step 1: Take a good, long, honest look at 2017
It helps to refer to your calendar for this piece because we forget so much of what actually happened. Look at the various areas of your life (home, business, family, self-care, health, etc.)
- What worked for me and what was I borrowing from others?
- What were my goals for the year (or the last quarter) and how did I do on them?
- What do I need to leave behind?
- How authentic have I been?
- What worked great?
- What didn’t work so well? (Be really honest here!)
- What did I say NO to that I really wanted to do? (This one is really important! Think about travel, self-care, coaching, learning, fun, creativity, family adventures, etc.)
- Where did my boundaries get fuzzy? (For instance, I was a screaming idiot with my adult kids visiting over the holidays until I realized I hadn’t been clear about what I expected and needed from them. Boom!)
- What did I want to do that I didn’t get done?
- When did I feel in the flow? When did I struggle?
- Which people really made my year? Which ones drained my energy?
- Where did I STOP?
- What do I regret?
- Is there anyone I need to reach out to?
RELEASE
Step 2: Radically Declutter
This goes beyond piles of paper on your desk; it means looking at all the people, places and things that no long support you. Doing the REVIEW section may have identified some things you need to release—and here are some questions to get at what else may need to be cleared in your life.
PEOPLE
- Who supports me stepping into the biggest version of me?
- Who doesn’t?
- Who do I feel guarded around?
- Who do I feel less than around?
- Who makes me feel guilty?
PLACES:
- Where do I do my best work?
- Where do I feel distracted and scattered?
- What parts of my office or home bring me down and drain your energy?
- What do I feel when I walk in your front door and look around?
- Does my bedroom feel like my sanctuary?
- What part of my office or home would I change if money was no object?
THINGS:
- What’s still on my to-do list from 2017?
- What is that thing/task/call I keep putting off?
- How do I feel as you sit at my desk?
- Have I purged items I no longer wear from my closet and dresser lately?
- What’s in my purse right now?
- Do my offerings in my business still feel aligned with who I am?
- Am I attending a networking group (or gym or volunteer gig) I don’t really like?
- Do I have zillions of ideas written down all over the place (that I haven’t implemented yet)?
As you look at these areas, choose one item or person from each area that you might need to release. And as you’re considering it, think: “What can I release to create more physical, mental, and emotional space?”
CREATE
Step 3. Blank Paper Dreaming.
Now that you’ve release and opened up some space in your life, let’s get really clear about WHY you’re here and WHAT you’re here to do… Then we’ll take a look at exactly what you want to create in 2018.
Get clear with your WHY, even if you’ve done this a million times. Read Simon Sinek’s book, Start with Why, even if you’ve read it a million times.
- WHY am I here doing the work I’m doing—and does it still fit me?
- What do I VALUE? Write it down. Not just how much money I want to make—what kind of lifestyle do I value? INCLUDE LINK TO VALUES ASSESSMENT? (HINT: When you look back at the things you said NO to last year, were they in line with your values?)
- What does my PERFECT WEEK look like? Sketch it out. How would I start each day? How many hours in the day and days in the week would I work? When would I take creative renewal time? What would I do in the evening?
- How do I want to FEEL? In my business, with my clients, in my home, with my family?
Now it gets juicy. In that space that you’ve cleared, what do you want to bring in?
- New friends
- New experiences or travel
- New networking opportunities
- Fun learning activities
- A morning or evening ritual
- Beautiful things (fresh flowers for your workspace, a new comforter for the bedroom, a reading lamp for your favorite chair, a new journal or special pen)
- A space that’s all your own where you feel the magic (I meet so many women who have ZERO space that’s all theirs—one client’s 6,000-sf home had been completely taken over by her husband and kids. The first thing we did together was work on CLAIMING HER SPACE in her own home!)
- A schedule that HONORS you (with time for creativity, self-care and plenty of sleep)
- Accountability and support with goals or mindset
To give you an example, I wanted to better honor my value of AUTHENTICITY. So I went and signed up for an improv class that starts this week! (Wish me luck!)
How did you do? What’s ONE thing you can take action on right now—even a tiny action? Share your next steps in the comments.
I’d love to hear what you would like to release and to bring in. For some personal support with Radical Decluttering, schedule a complimentary call with me HERE. I can give you a few custom tips on how to let go and make room for what matters in 2018.
Own Your Power, Tandy