2022 is over as far as I am concerned, but before we fully leave it in the dust, here is a journaling exercise about 2023 to bridge the gap. If you answer each of these questions (as briefly or fully as you would like), you will enter 2023 with more clarity, direction, and, most importantly, perspective.
What do I want to HONOR from 2022? Maybe there are wins or lessons to be celebrated. Maybe there is struggle that requires recognition. Regardless of the kind of year you had find what needs to be honored.
What are you MAINTAINING in 2023? There are things in your life that you are at a good place with. What do you need to keep up in 2023 but not necessarily grow actively.
What are you GROWING in 2023? What thing or in what area do you want to see growth in in 2023? Are you growing? Is it your capacity for certain things you are growing?
What are you CREATING in 2023? What new thing will you bring into existence in the coming year? Maybe you are launching a new vertical. Maybe you are picking up a knitting hobby. Maybe you are creating a warmer more inviting home. What are you making that is new this year?
What are you STARTING in the coming year? Similar to the last question but not a thing that you are making, but a thing you are making happen. Are you starting a new habit? Maybe committing to a new attitude. What are you going to start doing?
What are you STOPPING or leaving behind in 2022? What are you no longer willing to tolerate? What are you ready to grow past? What are you not going to bring with you into 2023? The language of “leaving behind” is often gentler and more effective than “stopping” because instead of implying you have an inherently bad behavior or mindset, you are framing it as something you are outgrowing or moving past.
What are you going to SAVOR in 2023? So much talk this time of year is about growth, bigger, better, accomplishment, and striving. I want to know what you are going to soak up in the coming year. What are you committed to enjoying and being present with?
Together, the answers to these questions give you a lot of insight into what is important to you in the coming year. Pull out the key phrases from what you wrote. I am growing X. I am maintaining Y. I am savoring Z.
If you need more in-depth goal-setting and 2023 planning work, please reach out, it’s what I do. I would love to help you craft a vision and a plan for 2023 where all of your commitments get honored and all of your plans actually work for who you are.