Planning a year can be daunting - 365 days committed to achieving a goal, embodying a 'word of the year', or having this random need to do something different but falling off the wagon on day 3. Sound familiar?
How do you choose what you want your year to look like? Why would it even be necessary to approach the next set time period with some sort of focus in mind?
My guess is that in the busyness of life, areas of our lives go into auto-pilot. Decisions are made in the same way over and over again because it seemed great at the time, but maybe it is not appropriate for the season you're currently in. Or, perhaps you're feeling a bit stuck and not sure which fork in the road to choose to change something.
Planning doesn't mean you are scheduling every minute of every day - but rather, choosing one small area of your life to pursue with purpose and joy, so that you can have the margin to enjoy the rest of your life, and perhaps become the person you want to become!
A new day, a new week, a new month or even, a new year can be a time to gently press pause, reflect and then actively pursue something of deep value. One that could grow you in your relationship with the Lord, a loved one, a skill set or even, a fun habit to bring joy to your life.
This journal post may focus on planning your year ahead, but don't let the start of a new year be the only time you can course correct - you could use these tips at any point during the year! And honestly, how exciting is that?
Consider this gentle approach to planning with heart without the hustle
- Know that you can't overhaul everything, keep it simple by choosing one, small thing
- Think of something that can be repeated over the time period as opposed to something that is achieved once-off (in short, building a habit)
- Craft your clarity by completing this sentence "I am becoming a person who enjoys / grows in xyz (the benefit) by doing this abc (repeated activity)", for example "I am becoming a person who enjoys gentle creativity by painting for 10 minutes every Thursday night"
- Figure out what success looks like, and if things don't go according to plan, what small step will help you gently return to it again?
Now with this gentle approach as a guide, here are some helpful tips.
5 steps towards planning your year with heart
- Reflect on the season that was (enjoy gratitude for what was, acknowledge where something is 'behind' or 'neglected' and choose wonder for what can be transformed in the next little while)
- Have fun dreaming of 'Future Me' (wouldn't it be cool, what's something simply you'd love to not put off)
- Decide what success looks like (how many times a day, a week, a month, and a low, mid and high energy activities)
- Set your 'begin again' mantra (I am growing, I am human, not a robot)
- Plot how you'll measure it during the course of the year (journal, a date in your calendar, tell a friend)
Some ideas of habits you can plan for the next year
My tip? Choose just one!
- Pick a creative hobby and spend 10 minutes twice a week enjoying it
- Journal a list of three things you're grateful each day or week
- Doodle / sketch something from your camera roll once a week
- Create a list of ideas of people / objects / places to paint to try painting each week
- Eat a delicious breakfast each morning to nourish your body
- Enjoy a meal time with a loved one / your family around the table without any screens twice a week
- Create a master list of meals / recipes to cook regularly to try on your weekly meal plan
- Declutter and donate 2 items from your home each month
- Read 2 chapters of a book per week
- Stretch for 15 minutes each week day
- Select a Bible In A Year plan and commit to growing in God's Word
- Meet with a friend once a week to pray for each other
Choose to have fun when building a simple habit that has the possibility the enrich your life. How exciting could your life look when you set your eyes on growing your heart towards loving the Lord, connecting with a loved one or growing in a gentle, creative skill at the end of the day? Who knows the type of person you'll grow into over the next year that could be meaningful and filled with joy.
DOWNLOAD free Take Note monthly printable template from The Artful Library
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