At this time of the year there are a lot of tips and tricks out there, how to set the tracks for 2019.

How to make it a successful and happy year, and how to finally make those changes you procrastinated on in 2018.

For sure all great tips.

But there’s one essential thing you need to do before getting started with taking any kind of action.

 

You need to prepare the field before taking action

 

If you end your year with feelings like frustration, anger, disappointment or regret, all actions you’ll try to plan or execute from this state of being will be a struggle.

You can take my word for it.

I know what you might say now: “Yvonne, but that’s how I feel! Because my year had been disappointing, frustrating and demotivating.”

Point taken, it has been an extremely challenging year for many of us. Including me.

But it’s our choice now how we perceive this year and what we focus on when looking back over the past 12 months.

 

 

Pay attention to your biased mind when reviewing 2018

 

Our mind can be extremely biased. And what we focus on is what we’re going to see.

So do you focus now on all the things that didn’t work out as planned?

Do you focus on everything that didn’t meet your expectations or everything you didn’t accomplish?

Looking back through the lens of anger, frustration or fear will only show you all the things that went wrong. A really biased picture.

 

So wouldn’t it be better to look back through the lens of compassion, gratitude and love?

And to have a look at all the people and all the small and big things that are part of our lives and make it a better life?

I promise you, when you give it a try your review will look completely different. In a way also biased. But biased in a really good sense.

 

 

My favourite exercise to pave the way for a successful and happy 2019

 

So now that we agreed on what to focus on, let’s break it down step by step.

Set aside 1 hour for yourself.

Make this time if necessary, it’ll pay off greatly in the months to come.

And write down these four areas of your life:

• Family, friends & relationships
• Your health and wellbeing
• Your intellectual and spiritual wellbeing
• Your work life

 

Then brainstorm on all the things you’re grateful for in those 4 areas, things that were good in 2018. 

What are the people you’re grateful for having in your life? Your family, great old and new friendships, your partner and loved ones. Write down all names that come to your mind.

Do you feel grateful for the health you have, or for the health improvement you experienced? What are the small actions you took to be healthier this year? Or the small things you did that made you feel better? A new hobby? Taking half an hour for yourself once in a while to enjoy a cafe and dream away?

What did you do to keep your mind awake, engaged and curious? A cinema, a theatre, an exhibition, a new book, a good conversation, a new course maybe? 

And what were the things in your work that went well or you’re grateful for? Growing professionally, improving the relationships with colleagues, or maybe just stressing less or setting better boundaries? Or maybe just not giving up despite all the difficulties? 

Whatever comes to your mind, write it down. Nothing is too small not to deserve to be mentioned.

 

Make this a colourful Re-Vision board of all that happened in 2018.

Once you get started with a couple of reflections and write them down, you’ll realize it gets easier and easier. And you’ll remember more and more good things.

 

Once you’re done pay attention to how you feel?

What’s your energy now?

I bet it’s on a higher note.

And that’s exactly where we want to be when ending 2018 and moving into 2019.

High on gratitude, high on love and high on (self)compassion.

 

From all my heart and with all my gratitude and love, I’m wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year 💕