It Starts with the Self

Value oriented goal setting for a year full of meaningful possibility

It’s this time of year when our inboxes, newspapers and subscriptions are filled with countless articles on setting resolutions, tips for making them stick and suggestions for starting the New Year by banishing those things that haven’t served us; it can be overwhelming. As we head into 2017 we reflect on what we have accomplished over the past year, what still is lingering out there to be finished, examining what we avoided and setting new goals for the year to come. But what kind of self-assessment would really make a difference in holding our resolutions, making a change, achieving our goals and not letting history repeat itself in 2017?

What I find to be true year after year is I have to go back to my core values, for they serve as my internal blueprint for success and guide my purpose for what I produce in my life before I can even begin to take inventory of the past year’s goals or create a road map for the upcoming year. I think about the kind of leader I want to be, what strengths I can utilize to keep myself on track towards my goals, what will help me keep my focus devoid of distraction, what was I unaware of the year before that I learned this year, where did I undervalue my abilities or compromise my self-worth, where did I shine and how can I grow forward to inspire others to do the same.

I help my clients set meaningful goals and amplify their strengths to get to where they want to go by challenging them to start by cultivating self-awareness and understanding that our values have emotional resonance to us, and that many of these road blocks to getting what we want come from some action or event that is out of sync with those values. Setting goals for the upcoming year are important if we are to make things happen. How we set these goals into motion takes planning. Each step towards actualizing these goals needs to be reviewed to determine how realistic they are, breaking them down into small chunks, and celebrating the wins along the way are keys to staying on track, but it begins with self-awareness.

So this year, before you begin to set goals, make resolutions, or beat yourself up for what didn’t happen this year, take some time to celebrate who you are! Give yourself the gift of contemplating what you cherish most, what your values are, what you stand for, and reflect on what is most important to you. Once equipped with this awareness you can begin to live in accordance with what you value most and engage in committed action towards reaching what you want for 2017 and beyond!

Happy Holidays and a Very Happy and Healthy New Year.

May it be full of new possibilities, new opportunities, and wonderful new beginnings!