DEVELOP A THEME THAT INSPIRES YOU by Wendy Hearn
As the New Year begins, it's inevitable that your
thoughts turn to the changes you want to make or the
things you want to achieve this year. You may have
thought about New Years' Resolutions, even though you
know they generally don't work. A New Year is like a
clean sheet of paper, ready to start afresh. So if
setting New Year Resolutions doesn't work, what does
it take for you to focus on what's important to you?
The first step is to have a clear idea of this year's
aims. An effective way is to set intentions for
yourself to bring about what's most important to you.
Then condense these aims into a "theme" for the year.
Your theme will be personally meaningful, it needs to
come from your heart and to inspire you. As you
concentrate on the idea of a theme, jot down any ideas
which may occur to you, even if they don't appear to
make sense at first.
Your theme will reflect your vision, but whereas your
vision is big and much more than you'll accomplish in
your lifetime, your theme is about the part of your
vision you hope to achieve in the next year. Your
theme needs to be a fun thing and something to
experiment and play with. Make your theme outrageous;
a step out of your box.
Your theme can relate to any area of your life,
personal or professional and it should impact your
whole life, even if this wasn't obvious when you set
the theme. My theme for this year is with my business.
The theme "be in the moment and trust myself" felt
right because of what is important to me and my vision.
This was missing last year and it would be healthy for
me to embrace it fully. It later occurred to me that
this same theme would impact the way in which I
interact with my children and in my personal
relationships.
Your theme needs to feel so natural that you wouldn't
need to 'try' and hold yourself accountable to it.
However you may find it useful to set up a reminder
system to say it as often as possible and post it in
many places. After all, if the time comes when your
theme isn't working for you or needs changing, you have
that choice. Tie your theme into who you are and not
just what you want to 'do' or 'have'. Whatever you
want to 'do' or 'have' will come more easily when you
shift to 'being' that person. I've heard of some
people who have set a theme for the year of, say,
'travelling more'. A great theme but until you shift
who you are as a person, it's not likely to happen
without struggle. For instance the theme of
'travelling more' may require that you 'be
adventurous' or 'be courageous'.
A theme keeps you focused and is there to touch base
with regularly. Focus on your theme first thing in
the morning for a clearer direction to the day rather
than drifting. When I feel unsure of something, lack
direction or feel unfocused, yet need to make a
decision or use my time more effectively, these are
all occasions when I need to 'be' with my theme and
decide what's my next step.
Acknowledge yourself daily for being with your theme
and record the results in your journal as a means of
inspiration. Each day, check that your choices,
decisions, and most importantly, your actions are in
alignment with your theme. During the day and at the
end of it, reflect where you were in touch with your
theme and where you weren't. This will give you clues
about what you need to change in your life. One of
the habits I'm working on with my theme is to 'be'
with my theme before I 'do' anything. Even if I don't
do this all the time, at least it's increasing my
awareness more often.
What I want for you is a theme for this year that
inspires and excites you and reflects what's
important to you.
Wendy Hearn
Personal and Professional Coach
She works with business owners, professionals and executives to
discover and unlock their own inspiration, to effortlessly take
the actions required to have the success they desire.
To receive Wendy's fre^e newsletter, send an email to:
newsletter@wendyhearn.par32.com
http://www.Business-Personal-Coaching.com
More articles on BUSINESS-MANAGEMENT
Some Hints in Time Management
How to Set Realistic and Effective Goals
Design Your Business The Way You Want
Develop a Theme That Inspires You
Bring Your Dream, Vision or Theme to Life
Don't Strive For Efficiency At The Expense Of Effectiveness
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