How I Reflect and Plan ... Part Two

After reading journals, reviewing lessons, and celebrating accomplishments, it is time to plan the next year.  (Here's Part One for the questions I use to reflect.)

Planning the year begins with reviewing my Personal Mission and Vision Statement.  While I read my Mission/Vision every week during the year, I take a few minutes to determine if any of it needs to change as I've grown during the past year.  If you do not have a Personal Mission and Vision Statement, the Franklin Covey Institute has a great Mission Statement Builder.  It is what I used to fine-tune mine several years ago.

Then I review my Life Areas:  Spirit, Mind/Emotions, Physical Health/Energy, Self-Care, Relationships, Home, Financial, Business, World-Impact.  Are my over-arching Intentions in those areas still current for my desires in life?  For example, my Intention with Home is "My home is an organized, health-enhancing, and refreshing retreat for me, Doug, and our family/friends."

For each Intention, I review last year's goals.  Are there any to keep, update, eliminate?  From reviewing the current year, are there new goals to add for next year? My Health/Energy Intention is "I choose living to maximum health and fitness and genuine extraordinary energy."  One of the goals that has carried forward many years (and I'm sure will this year, too) is "I learn and consistently take steps to prevent disease and aches/pains and to increase well-being and healthy aging."

Then for my Intentions and Goals I ask, "What would that look like?"  For preventing aches/pains one description is "correct posture; no imbalances - shoulders square, spine and pelvic tilt in place." (I found myself straightening as I typed that.  Pretty interesting.)

Next to last is the action steps.  This is where traditional goal setting kicks in. 

• What will I do, by when? 
• Can this be delegated?  Who can help? 
• How important is this action to get me to the goal? 
• How important is this goal/action in relation to other goals?
• Does this need to be done at 100% or "good enough?"

Last is accountability. 

• Tracking  
• Sharing my goals with a friend
• Putting start and finish dates on my calendar
• Placing visual reminders/cues for new habits 

Enjoy the review.  Enjoy the planning.  But most of all, enjoy the moments and reaching your goals in the coming year.