Every December brings a flurry of activity. Gifts are bought, trips are planned, calendars are filled. The holiday season takes our country by storm, first inundating our stores – way too early – and then our radios and our lives. We fill up on food and drink and family and friends, often overloaded.
And then New Year’s slams into us and we’re supposed to make resolutions for a better life. Doesn’t seem like the best plan, does it?
Instead of grabbing the first thing that comes to mind (and, let’s face it, weight loss is often at the top of the list for most) here are seven questions you can use to prepare yourself the next year’s journey.
Question 1: Where Have You Been?
Don’t head off without understanding the strengths and weaknesses that have brought you to this point. Take some time to learn about yourself – what’s important to you, how you engage with the world, your values. Also, trace back along your path to discover surprising successes and alarming detours that can function as signposts for the future.
Question 2: Where Do You Want to Go?
Once you’ve seen your journey to date, it’s time to plan out where you really want to go. There are many options to sift through, to sort according to priority. Focus on what you really want.
Question 3: Who’s Going With You?
It’s always great to take journeys with a group. There are people out there who have gone where you want to go and can give you encouragement and warning about your trip. Others can provide relief humor or just keep you company. Family, friends, mentors, life coaches – all can be of assistance if they know the journey you are on.
Question 4: What Guidebooks Do You Need?
Before heading out on the road, you need to gather some information. It might be knowledge regarding starting a business, or forging new relationships, or athletic training. Provide yourself with plenty of know-how through books, classes, seminars and question-asking.
Question 5: Can You Create a Route?
Often there is an order in which steps must be taken to reach an end result. Lay out the basic plan to move from start to finish, knowing there is often adjustment to be made along the way. Identify potential potholes and scenic routes to prepare in advance.
Question 6: You Haven’t Left Yet?
Don’t fall victim to “analysis paralysis” – it’s time to move! You don’t have to have everything spelled out, just enough for first steps and knowing what to pick up along the way. This could be testing the waters, a trial run, or putting the pedal to the metal and hitting the road.
Question 7: Do It Again?
When in doubt, go back to the beginning. Do you need more self-awareness? More information? Some help? Are you stuck? This process can and should be repeated over and over (and not always in order) before, during, and after pursuing any goal.
