It’s been proven that hindsight is the clearest vision we can have, yet somehow we still find ourselves in the same place as before. Moving maybe an inch at a time, we realise that in reality we ‘need’ to be at least a mile ahead.
So just how do we look back and progress at the same time?
The short answer: reflection.
The longer version: reflection is an art, here’s how to make the best of it in seven simple to apply steps…
- What were your priorities for the year?
Note the past tense in that question!
Start with the priorities you set, or at least think about one thing, that this time last year you really wanted. Maybe it was to grow your client base, buy a house or go on an extra holiday.
Also known as a vision. (You can see some of my other blogs for more inspiration on setting your vision).
Whatever it was you wanted – this is your starting point. For the sake of this blog, let’s say you wanted to go on a dream holiday.
You can insert any priority or intention to make this process your own! Just have fun with it (even if you choose something serious).
The point is to get a feel for the process.
- Is your priority measurable month by month?
Ah, now here’s the fun bit, notice how this is a present-based action question…
Take your goal or priority and see if (or how) you broke it down into manageable steps. If you didn’t that’s the most likely reason for things not going to plan – biting off more than you can chew at any given time usually does that!
In our example of a holiday, in month 1 you could have set your vision board for your dream holiday. Worked out how it wouldn’t clash with commitments in place, annual leave at work, cover for the business…
Month 2 you could have looked at school term breaks and locations suitable for all the family needs. Secured the deposit and confirmed pet and house sitters.
Month 3 decided how you would start paying it off immediately so as not to affect your usual holiday plans.
You get where I’m going with this! See each month has a measurable outcome you can see with a tangible result attached.
- At the end of the year, what worked well?
Did your dream holiday work out for you?
At the end of the year, you can now see what has gone well. Maybe you paid the holiday off sooner and had more spend money.
When you were telling your folks about your plan, maybe they gave you a bit of money towards the holiday. Someone in the family or your close friends may have volunteered to look after the kids so you could take on a bit of extra work.
All a result that led to your dream second holiday!
- What didn’t work so well?
Not everything goes according to plan. That’s life, it’s perfectly ok. If you have an idea of what didn’t work, you’ll know what to correct next year.
It could happen that you may have had some troubles with babysitters so next year, you can choose someone more reliable.
There is nothing worse than making the same mistakes over and over and over!
- What needs changing?
It’s not necessarily the stuff that didn’t work well that only needs changing.
You may well have noticed the travel agents you used didn’t look after you well and you’ll have to change that next year…
The location, activities and so on, may have been great but you now know you want more excitement for your next big adventure – woo hoo!
- Set your priorities for next year…
Is it time for you to set a bigger budget for next year’s holiday? Possibly start paying off your holiday sooner?
Or maybe next year will need a whole new plan as you have finally seen that house you love is now on the market, mmm, interesting choices!
- Review and adjust as you go along
Once you have your priorities set, a breakdown of what to do in manageable steps, you know what works, what doesn’t and what you are going to do about that, you can then review and amend your plans on the fly.
Yes, no hanging about waiting for the worst to happen – you will know what you don’t know and be able to adjust accordingly. Awesome!
So, how clear is your vision for next year?
Share your priorities and goals with me via email, Facebook or set up a connection call and together let’s make your new year a great one!
Cheryl-lya is a Soul Adventurer and Planning Queen: helping women around the globe plan launch and grow successful sustainable businesses, careers and spiritually balanced lives. She runs workshops alongside one-to-one coaching. Contact her: call UK mobile 07527 303 911, or visit her website soulscompass.net Say ‘hello’ or share your joys via email: cheryllyas@btinternet.com