As 2016 ends and you move on into the next year, take some time to review, to contemplate and to maybe mindfully meditate. Give yourself the opportunity to have a brake just for a day or two before you go back into your normal routine – to work, back to school or just your everyday life.
Grab a cup of coffee or tea and a pen, and get your journal or notebook to write your answers. Take a little time to create space and freedom to reflect on the past year. As we can learn a lot by reflecting the past year by celebrating your achievements even the small things, mourning your losses and being grateful for an eventful and challenging life.
Here are a few questions to get you started…
Reflective questions:
- What was your highlight/achievement of 2016?
- What was the most challenging/hardest thing that happened?
- Who were the most important people in your life last year?
- What was the most important thing that you learned last year?
- What was your biggest time waster in your life this past year?
- Choose 3 positive words to describe 2016
- Choose 3 negative words to describe 2016
- What was the best book you read
- What was the best film or programme you watched
- What was the best thing you experienced.
- In what ways did you grow either emotionally, physically or spiritually last year?
- What was the best use of your time last year?
Lastly, create a phrase or a short statement that describes this past year for you.
2017 Goal Setting
As you move forward looking into 2017 it is more helpful to think of solutions rather than resolutions. I don’t believe in resolutions because resolutions are plans and for most people plans rarely worked out particularly well. Its funny that resolutions are meant to bond us and be helpful because we all want to change something, like lose weight, stop a habit, learn something new like a language, play an instrument, add a skill or experience or start on that novel.
- Quit smoking, stop drinking, eat more healthily, do more exercise, or lose weight
- Stop procrastinating, improve motivation
- Become more confident, maybe more social
- Get more sleep, or improve quality of sleep
- Improve relationships or find a new relationship
- Find a better work/home life balance
- Improve financial situation
- Learn to let go of past hurts, traumas and find a new way to deal with issues
- Learn how to control your emotional responses
- What three things would you like to see or do this year?
- What would you like to change this year?
- If you got to December 31st 2017 – what would you regret not doing, saying, experiencing?
If you are feeling stuck or don’t know where to start then this is where I can help. Contact Sarah for a FREE no-obligation initial phone consultation on 07734 104421 or email sarah@sarahbrambleby.com.
Find more balance, be happier, more resilient and successful by:
- Schedule some fun time everyday
- Stop overthinking and take action
- Believe in myself & tap into my confidence
- Let myself off the hook
- Remember my true worth
- Be prepared to take risks
- Take my needs seriously
- Be kind to myself
- Keep my sense of humour
- Appreciate everything I have… “I am grateful for….”
Well, there you have it, a list of advice and tips to help you see your New Year’s plans through and make some long-term changes in your life. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.
Sarah Brambleby is an experienced Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, Certified Havening Techniques® Practitioner and Certified BWRT® Practitioner. Registered with the Accredited Voluntary Register and a member of the both the National Hypnotherapy Society and the National Counselling Society accredited bodies. She uses an integrative approach with Hypnotherapy, Counselling, Havening Techniques®, BWRT®, EFT, CBT, Mindfulness and Coaching, in a safe and friendly non-judgemental therapeutic environment based at the Risborough Therapy Clinic in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire.