AAH: Plan Ahead
By Tara Crawford
I don’t know about you, but the end of the year just snuck up when I wasn’t looking. Wasn’t it just summer with heat waves, BBQs and long sunlit days? Suddenly, it is dark in the middle of the day- at least here in beautiful New England- and people are talking about New Year resolutions. YIKES! That right, it is time to start planning next year. If that thought strikes terror in your heart- you are not alone.
Fear not, help is on the way.
I have a simple three step formula you can use to jump start the planning process. I call it AAH, as in a sigh of relief, for:
Access your last year,
Accentuate your present
Have a theme for 2008.
See if this makes you sigh too.
1. Access Your Last Year
Ever notice how we remember the bad stuff more than the good? I am sure someone has studied this phenomenon, but you can’t review last year relying on your memory, especially if you are a woman of a certain age, if you know what I mean.
• Get out your calendar, blackberry, palm pilot and write down your accomplishments month by month. The idea here is to create a list of everything you
accomplished in 2007. This list is for your eyes only so include the whole enchilada, big and small.
• Capture whatever is important to you, the heck with anyone else’s opinion. Think of it as your personal top ten list for 2007.
• Now, get ready to be amazed. Look at this list and see how far you have come in one short year. Odds are you are not the same person you were a year ago. Think of all the obstacles you overcame and you will realize you have grown. I bet that may not have been on your “to do” list so consider it a fabulous perk.
• Take some time and CELEBRATE your accomplishments.
2. Accentuate the Present
Now that you looked at what you have done, take a moment and look at where you are right now. Look at your whole life here including: Family, Money, Career & Business, Romance, Health, Personal Growth, Fun and Recreation
• Ask yourself, on a scale of one to ten (one is low, ten is high), how you rate your level of satisfaction in each of these life areas?
• If an area didn’t score a ten, what can you do to make it a ten? How about a twelve; why not really swing wide?
Time to look ahead to the New Year.
3. Have a Theme Song
I loved the TV show “Ally McBeal.” Remember when her therapist suggested she pick a theme song for her life? Since I love musicals, this idea holds great appeal to me.
• A theme, musical or not, is a way to put your goals in context. You can choose a personal theme and use it as your intention and guiding light. It can give you a framework for everything that occurs in the next year.
• Your theme can help you respond to opportunities and obstacles. Coupled with your intuition, you have a powerful ally to help you navigate unexpected events.
My theme for 2008, as we coaches like to say, is to “play a bigger game.” If it was a song it would be the positive energy of “Everything’s Coming up Roses.” Other examples I have heard are a “year to thrive,” “gratitude explosion,” “catapulting forward,” “love,” or “joy.” The possibilities are endless.
What theme will allow you to create the best year of your life?
What theme best serves you and your dreams in the coming year?
Check in with your heart and go for it. Go for the AAH.
Happy New Year!
Copyright 2008 If you wish to reprint this article please contact Tara Crawford Roth
This article was posted by Tara Crawford Roth
