Preparing for something big and of much value to us should always start with addressing what was, what is and what can be.
With less than 10 days left to end 2020 that was a year of mixed feelings, I think I'd say that it has been quite the one for me. Though the uncertainty was scary as the year began, I think we are adapting and doing our bit in learning to live the 'new normal' way.
So now as we prepare to leave it behind and go into the next year (there was a point during this year where we all wished it was over and now it's finally gonna be) it makes sense to walk in feeling all the more prepared now.
There's definitely nothing wrong with just taking it as it comes but if you're someone who wishes to see themselves achieve something incredible or see your life make that turn you really need it to, then it's only wise to take the reins in your hands and guide the journey with your actions while being prepared for whatever might come your way.
Here are 7 steps for you to start preparing yourself for a new and invigorating 2021.
1. Gratitude for 2020
Hoping for great things for ourselves is what we always do but how often do we feel grateful for all that's already present in our lives. We know we attract more of what we are grateful for. By sending a message that we recognise what's already a blessing, we are conveying that what's to come will also be enough to be grateful for.
To give you a picture, this is how my gratitude list goes- I feel okay. I have a career path now that excites me. I have defined my purpose and interests thus deriving my passion. I'm healthy, my family is healthy. I have my dog that keeps me afloat.
The list goes on and is longer than I anticipated but you get the point.
So here's what you can do- list down all that you are grateful for starting with-
a. Things
b. Experiences
c. Moments
d. People/Relations
e. Anything else you want to name.
Note that the prompts are not in the order of importance. And don't stress over the number your list should hit. Just go from the basic ones you can, like- grateful for being alive, your freedom or any one soul you're glad to have in your life. You will feel great in the end.
2. What Needs to Improve
Now that you have a gratitude list, you can move on to identifying and listing what needs to improve in other aspects of your life. This exercise will help you get an idea of the direction you need to proceed in and what's absolutely important for you to improve as you move ahead in life.
Start by listing your purpose, values and who/what is most important to you in your life (need not be just one). One way to do this is by envisioning your life at its best in one year with all that truly matters to you present then. Let's have a more practical vision here so it can help you compare your life now to then and understand what can be improved.
It may be as detailed as you want it to be or as vague. Don't pressure yourself, just let it flow. Once you have an idea, pick three key aspects in your life that are most important to you at this point. Compare your Now to your dream that's one year from now with respect to those key aspects. Now you know what needs to improve. All you have to do is draw your plan and make efforts towards improving it.
3. Manifestation for 2021
Manifestation is basically the process of visualizing the things you really want in your life while absolutely believing that you can have them. Manifestation requires you to believe in yourself and the workings of the universe. And it is true, once you manifest with all your heart and visualize having a certain something in your life or your life being a certain way while working for it actively- it will happen. It's called the Law of Attraction.
So sit down and practise manifesting the three most important things you want in your life by the end of 2021. While there is no limit to the things you can manifest, we are planning for a more directed growth and having a direction in mind will keep us from straying away from our values and purpose. So do your bit, manifest every day. It needs to be practised and believed in to come true. And I understand it all starts with you believing that you're absolutely worthy of having anything you truly want.
4. Major Vision-Minor System
Now that you have your vision, know what needs to improve and have the manifestation practice in place- it's time to convert your dream/goal into systems.
"Goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results."
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
Systems are the practical how-to to meet the goal. They help you 'do the work'. While envisioning and manifestation help the outside forces to work for us, setting systems and working according to them is basically enabling us to do our bit in a foolproof way. There is no way you can miss working out your systems because by setting systems and progressing according to them you are basically setting yourself in an autopilot mode without involving your decision making power and/or will power to get up and do it every single day.
Let's say you stopped worrying about how much you want to weigh in the next 6 months and instead just decided to do a 20-minute workout for 5-days a week. Or you stopped dreaming about the reach your blog should get in the next quarter and just decided that you will post a blog every week diligently. How does that seem for a workable plan?
You are practically setting a no-think-just-do system for your mind and body giving yourself little to no excuse to skip it. No reason to be overwhelmed now. All you have to do is follow that system blindly and before you know it you're on an autopilot mode to not just achieving those powerful goals but also living a transformed, high-performance life.
5. Systems to Habits
Habits are part of a system. If your goal is to be financially independent in a year, your systems could be to learn new skills, work harder to back that promotion, get a better job, start a side hustle for a second source of income, grow your brand, uplevel your value in the market with expertise and experience, invest more. Depending on the systems your choose your habits will be the micro action you take on a daily basis to work those systems.
For example- To build a brand or start a side hustle- spending an hour or two every day or your weekends in content creation, showcasing your expertise in your niche and establishing authority in the market, being consistent with all this. If it is to learn a new skill- allotting an hour or two every day to learn something new and executing. If it is to save/invest more- starting by understanding your needs vs expenses, educating yourself about lifestyle changes to save more and suitable investment options for you after studying the market and the subject thoroughly.
You get the idea. Whatever your goal is- draw your systems from it and break down your system into tiny habits that are simple to do on a daily basis but have a major effect on your life in the long run.
6. Look at the big picture but only have today in mind.
It's easy to get anxious and overwhelmed at the possibility of a changed and better life. Now if you don't feel that way I'm not going to plant the seed in your head but if you're someone like me- you might sure as hell chicken out at the idea of change and let a day or two pass without following your habits and before you know it- there goes another year too. We don't want that, do we?
So the only secret to not being overwhelmed at the thought of doing all these things is taking it one day at a time. One habit at a time. That's not much of a secret but that's the most effective answer. Every time you find yourself going- Umm..that's a lot for today, for this month or for this year so let's take a break for now- Just stop yourself right there... Count 5..4..3..2..1 and get started with that next task (Can't stop quoting Mel Robbin's 5-second rule). Being overwhelmed can cripple us but that shouldn't be your excuse for stopping. Which brings me to my next point.
7. Self-compassion with a dash of tough-love
Self-compassion is simply the act of being kind to yourself, being mindful of that and in general being humane towards everyone else too. While this is extremely important to fulfilling your dreams (because I don't believe in being rough on oneself in order to get stuff done) I also hope you understand that self-compassion doesn't mean you get to be a little too easy on yourself at the cost of your dreams.
This is where I'd like to sprinkle a dash of tough-love.
Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of the tough-love concept when it stands alone but I think you can be a little tough, push yourself to do the work, get it done and also be soft and kind to yourself. Imagine expecting kids to eat all the vegetables in their plate because you're 'nicely' telling them. They can't see why they have to eat them now in spite of you telling them the tale of vegetables and their superpowers. So you ought to use tough love. Remember to hold yourself accountable in a similar way. If you think you still won't do it, ask someone else, preferably from your community (even virtual), to help you out. I'm sure it'll help and you will see when the time to reap your efforts arrives.
Ready to make 2021 the best year so far?
Those are the steps to prepare for the coming year in the best way possible which I'm positive will be your most fulfilling one so far. Once again, take it just one day at a time. All you have to do starting January 1st is be the best you can on that day, then the next day, then the day after and so on. Look at the big picture but have only today in mind. Or better, have just the next thing to do in mind and go do it. That's all there is to a successful execution which is ultimately what gets your goals to work after a successful planning session. And I really believe it's possible if you completely set yourself up for it.
Happy Planning and a very Happy New Year!
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