This is the time of year when we look at our goals from last year, see how we did, make new ones for the new year, and then formulate a plan for making it all happen. I’m very glad to have this process, especially this year. Last week I thought I hadn’t done very well on my goals for 2015 and I was feeling a bit down in the mouth about it (yes, I am not always Pollyanna). But when I pulled them out and compared, I had met or exceeded most of those goals and only failed meet two of them! That brought the smile back to my face. I usually set business goals as well as health, relationship, and personal goals each year; a few in each category, to keep learning and evolving.
I have an accountability partner and we go over our goals with each other at the beginning of the year and check in again at the end of each quarter. In 2015, we did something a bit different. We set intentions and then made our goals encompass these intentions. This was something suggested by Deepak Chopra. His four suggested mantras for those intentions were:
- I have a joyful, energetic body.
- I have a loving, compassionate heart.
- I have a restful, alert mind.
- I have lightness of being.
These worked out pretty well, because a joyful energetic body is one that gets enough exercise, proper nutrition and sleep. A loving compassionate heart takes care of self and others. An alert mind is active and constantly learning, and all of these make for a lightness of being.
So, perhaps instead of making resolutions this year, you can set these four intentions for yourself. Write them down on a 3×5 card and keep them where you’ll see them each day, to remind yourself. Then let me know at the end of 2016 how much better you feel!
Best of Health,
Kathi
