new year, here i come
December 31 2018
#32FLOW This year, I trialled a guided word rather than a new years resolution. It was a word that I thought about to myself quietly which would remind me to stay on track for the year to come. Throughout the year, I reflected on it often. I kept the word top of mind. It helped me focus and guided me with the choices I made. This guided word was ‘Flow’. I surprisingly found the whole process of having this guided word in the back of my mind for the year most helpful. It continuously reminded me to make a conscious effort in my everyday life resulting in it ‘flowing’ a whole lot better. Because I felt there were a few things a little disjointed at the time, more ‘flow’ was something I definitely needed and something I had been seriously thinking about getting in my routine. To do this, I simply took stock of what I was doing each week, prioritised and removed the distractions. As a result, I must admit, life this year did flow a whole lot better – resulting in calmness, productivity and more balance. Crystallising and having a ‘go to’ word for 2018 made me check in and go back to it on a regular basis and has served me very well, as; • • • • • • •
I broke things down into small jobs and accepted things will not happen overnight I kept to a specific routine, with less decisions to make I got back to basics – I did fewer things… but did them right I eliminated the unnecessary distractions and time wasters, and I allowed enough time for specific tasks at the same time every week I said no more often, and accepted I do not need to do everything (Read: Why Say No) I decluttered and gave away many things I did not use or need (Read: Detach and Declutter) I made my life simpler, simplicity was key to achieving the goals I wanted to achieve
LIVING WITH INTENTION AND HAVING A ‘THEME’ FOR A YEAR GAVE ME SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT AND TOOK ME OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE TO EXPERIENCE NEW THINGS. Below are some positives as to why you might find having a guided word rather than a New Year resolution beneficial for you; • • • •
It will be easier to create and achieve your goals Having a word is a good ‘check in’ It’s easier to remember It’s a simple way to stay on track
So why not make a plan for the New Year, and have a think about living with some intention? Do some homework for yourself and select a guided word that’s right for you this coming new year – a word that will resonate with you (Read: Uniqueness). Then try it and keep it in your subconscious mind all throughout the year, something that you can fall back on to remind yourself every time you make a decision. Then, when that decision time comes, you will be able to ask yourself ‘does that move align with my guided word’? You may find the word that you want to define for your year comes to you straight away or you may need to have a good brainstorm and think about it in more detail. Here’s a PDF I provided to my colleagues to brainstorm and determine their guided word which may help you as well. Let one word be your guiding light for 2019 and experience the difference it can make – I don’t think you will be disappointed.
juliefurlongnotes.com