Every year around the end of December, we often start to reflect on how the past year has gone and the pros and cons that made it beautiful or not so great.
Personally, I like to recap my year by taking a glance back over my calendar and searching for milestones that stand out to me from keynote speaking and workshops, or the Sledge Hockey Experience team building events.
I also search for major events like weekend getaways, festivals with friends, road trips, or anything else that stands out as something to remember.
I did that this year, and I came up with great memories. There were lots of business wins and successes, lessons learned about what I value, key relationships that influenced my life, and changes that I would like to make heading into next year.
But when I was doing this, what particularly stands out for me from last year isn’t so much the goals that I set or hit, but the theme that I focused on and how that was easier to keep at the forefront of my mind instead of a “New Year’s Resolution”.
It’s natural to want to set a “New Year’s Resolution”, however by doing so, you’re often setting yourself up for failure.
Why Resolutions Suck
Studies show that approximately 80% of new years resolutions fail.
Gyms are always the busiest in January and research has shown that 80% of gym goers quit within five months.
Resolutions have a novel idea to them, but really, you can (and should want to) make a necessary change at any time.
Remember time you heard someone say in December “This year I vowed this year I was going to _________, and I did it!”.
Hah!
No, you didn’t…
Resolutions put a lot of pressure on you, are hard to keep, and set you up to fail.
Resolutions put a lot of pressure on you, are hard to keep, and set you up to fail. Click To TweetPick a Theme Instead
Last year was the first year I picked a theme.
I had it written like this: “2021, The Year of Getting Ahead!”
I had accrued a fair amount of debt before Covid, and as I transitioned to virtual keynotes and workshops, my business took off and I saw 2021 as an opportunity to “get ahead”.
All year I had that theme written on my whiteboard in my office which was a constant reminder being reinforced to stay focused on the idea to “earn more, spend less”.
Though I do have some of the debt remaining, I paid off nearly 70% in one calendar year, which for me was huge.
Picking a theme for the year puts less pressure on yourself and gives you a simple “North star” to aim for all year round, keeping your mind on track.
(Note: If you are looking for a keynote, workshop, or coaching to support you or your team, contact Kevin here!)
Put It Where You Can See It
Before you take off and just think to yourself “This year I am going to ________”, think about where you can place it so that it’s constantly being reinforced in our mind.
When I refer to The Resilience Toolbox coaching and workshop program I created, one of the lessons is to “Make it Visual”, meaning “How can I make this idea visual of how I want to show up every day?”.
Vision boards and quote boards are one way, but for this, just think about where could you benefit from a regular visual reminder?
Is it on your nightstand?
Would your bathroom mirror be best?
Do you need a creative piece of art for your walls that would remind and inspire you?
If you want to go simple, just write it on a post it note and place it somewhere you can see it by your computer.
You could also take an inspiring photo on Instagram, write your caption/theme over top of it, and then save the image to be your background on your phone.
Get creative!
Keep It Simple
Just like a great branding or marketing campaign, you want your theme to be simple and easy to remember.
Don’t go writing a 15-word sentence about how you are going to make “2022, The Year of making myself cook homemade meals and lose 20 pounds by summer”.
That’s too complicated, and a mouthful.
Think like Nike: “Just do it”
I would suggest you pick no more than three to five words, max. You want to look at your reminder or think about it and instantly “get it”.
I would suggest you pick no more than three to five words, max. You want to look at your reminder or think about it and instantly “get it”. Click To TweetIn Conclusion
I wish I could tell you that by picking a theme like “The Year of Getting Ahead” would guarantee that you could reduce your debt or increase your income by 70%!
That would be epic, and I would be a millionaire.
However, what I can guarantee you is that instead of trying to set a new year’s resolution this year, a theme will be much more manageable and achievable to help you stay focused all year round.
Just like I teach in The Hero Mindset keynote, when we focus on small things that make a big difference, that is how each of us can become a hero in our own movie.
(Reminder! If you are looking for a keynote, workshop, or coaching to support you or your team, contact Kevin here!)
It’s our mindset about our situation that makes all the difference in how we show up every day.
… and by the way! In case you are wondering, my theme for next year is “2022: The Year to Spark More Joy!”.
I am confident in where my business is headed, but learning from this past year, I want to make a continued effort to maintain a healthy balance in my life.
Spark More Joy will help get me there.
What about you?
Leave a comment below and let me know!
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Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you succeed:
Life Doesn’t Give You What You Want, Life Gives You What You Need
How To Make The Most of The Holidays
Top 5 Tips To Help You Be Mindful Over The Holidays
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Whenever you are ready here are the 3 best ways I can help you:
- Get a FREE copy of my autobiography (click here)
- Looking for a speaker for your next event? (Contact Kevin)
- Learn more about The Resilience Toolbox Workshop (click here)
