Happy New Year dreamers, believers and achievers!
Even though I’m technically in vacation mode right now, I thought it would be fun to share a journey I’m embarking upon in 2016 and invite you to join me. I hope you will and I hope this post and perspective will inspire you to think BIG about this next year and make it your best.
Hello from the Other Side 2016
This idea began to percolate during a holiday conversation with my mom in which she read aloud a letter she wrote to her “future” self for 2015. The letter was full of declarations about her health, business, and personal goals. I decided that it would be great to write a letter like that (which is below) and as I thought about it, an even bigger idea began to form.
What if 2016 was the best year of your life?
Here’s my idea: what if 2016 was the best year of my life because I not only set goals like I typically do, but because I treat each day with the perspective that it is one of the best days of the best year of my life? This means not waiting for the five or 10 year goals this year. My health, personal life, business, relationships and spiritual life are all going to be the best they have ever been — this year. That’s it. That’s the big idea.
- A commitment to THE BEST. A commitment to the best year of my life.
- No second best or redos.
- Each day counts and each day is a part of the whole, which makes up the best year of my life.
I think this will be very different than traditional New Year’s resolutions or goals because it will require perspective, awareness and intentionality daily. It will also be very fun.
It was the best of times … It IS the best of times!
I’m very excited about this adventure. If you’d like to join me, comment below and let me know so we can keep up with each other on the best year of our lives.
Doesn’t that sound exciting?
- What’s going to happen during the best year of our lives?
- Where will we end up?
- How will we look?
- What will we want by the end of the best year of our lives?
This all sounds extremely extraordinary to me.
If you’d like to embark on this best year together, here are the steps I’m taking:
1. Write a letter to your future self.
This will be a declaration letter for the beginning of the year and reflection letter at the end of the year. Be as specific as you want and you can include your goals but make sure you touch on the way you want to feel and that perspective you should have throughout the year. I have my goals separate from the letter because some of them are pretty specific and personal.
2. Create tangible goals that you can review daily that reinforce your best year ever and are measurable for year end.
3. Commit to nothing but the best — every day, every hour, every experience.
4. Commit to checking in with your best self every morning and make time to intentionally view your day with the perspective that it is one of the best days of the best year of your life.
5. Enjoy your best. This final point is very important. Don’t make so many goals or have so many expectations that you set yourself up for failure. Remember, this best year of your life is mostly about perspective and intentionality. Yes, you will achieve your goals and yes, adventure and opportunity will find you unlike any other year before. Just be open to change, surprises and pivots along the way.
That’s it. Are you in? Feel free to share your letter in the comments below. I’m so excited!
– Kate
____
Hello from the other side 2016 me:
This will be the best year of your life. This will be your most fulfilling year because you will be full of healthy, disciplined, positive choices in your spiritual life, marriage, family relationships, friendships, health and fitness, giving and business. You will break poor, unhealthy habits and replace them with meaningful, healthy ones. You will practice discipline in how often you check your email, see your friends, check in with your family and prioritize your husband and health.
You will take more risks, smile more and be open to new experiences and new people.
Faith
This year will be the year of intimacy with God unlike any other you have experienced. You will have immense joy and fulfillment — great spiritual ROI — from your relationship with The Lord and your walk with Him.
Health and Fitness
You will work out more than you ever have in a year before. This will be the year of your healthiest, fittest body yet. You will love the way you feel AND look. This will be your leanest, strongest year. You will get to your goal weight / size and stay there because this year is the beginning of the best part of your life.
Family
You will stay in touch with your family more and be intentional in how often you call and interact with your family, including your grandparents.
Friendships
You will reconnect with friends that align with your life goals and perspective and stay in touch with those friends. You’ll nurture your current healthy friendships and you’ll seek new friends who share your interests and perspectives.
Marriage
This will be your best year of marriage yet. You and Daniel will grow even closer and will share new, lasting experiences together and stockpile a bunch of BEST memories for the years to come. You’ll fall deeper in love and flirt like you’re dating.
Business
Although your business has grown and been successful in many ways to date, this year will by FAR be your BEST year ever in business. New clients who are aligned with your vision and culture will be drawn to you. Your team will grow individually and inspire each other to do their best. You will experience your best revenue growth to date and you’ll work with client partners that you can truly enjoy and who value your unique perspective, expertise and personality. You’ll spend this year in confidence and joy.
Giving
This will be your most kind year yet. You will intentionally give of your time and resources more than ever before. You’ll give to charities and individuals that align with your heart. You’ll invest your time in helping others grow and reach their potential through causes that are important to you like young women empowerment, anti-human trafficking and supporting your God children, nieces and nephews and friends children as a positive role model and caring grown up.
Happiness
This will be your happiest year alive. You will choose joy. You will smile, dance and laugh with abandon. You will be true to yourself and focus on living each day and moment to the fullest without comparison or fear. You will be courageous and inspire others to do the same.
You are embarking on the best year of your life. A year where every day is viewed intentionally with the perspective that each day is one of the best days of the best year of your life. To make room for all this greatness you will free up your time and mind from the following:
- TV as a leisure activity
- Comparison to others
- Timidity
- Stress about today
- Anxiety about the future
- Negative habits
- Negative people
Now go forth and SHINE. Make every moment count. Practice love, peace and joy. Be kind and do not judge others, instead let them see you for your true self.
Love,
Your soon-to-be best self
