I’m not a huge fan of New Year’s Resolutions. This is because they often come from a ‘should’ mindset, rather than a ‘choose to’ mindset. I wonder if this is true for you. The goal might be to get fitter, to lose weight, to start a new project and yet, the mindset here is often associated with what you think you ‘should do’. The thing is, ‘should’ rarely lasts, and even if it does, the emotion that goes along with it is often associated with duty or obligation, rathen than with joy and desire.

As an alternative, I’ve often worked with both New Year’s Manifestations and New Year Themes. One or both may work for you too.

New Year’s Manifestations

Similar to New Year’s Resolutions, these are specific things you would like to achieve in 2017. The difference though is that rather than phrasing your goals as something you are ‘going to do’, you phrase them in the present. ‘I am …’ and ‘I have …’ statements work well. For example, I am participating in an exercise class once a week’. ‘I have completed project x with plenty of energy and enthusiasm’.

Effectively these statements are a visualisation of how you would like to see your life from the perspective of them happening now, or having already happened.

The power of manifestations is that they not only require you to really visualise what you want in your life, but they are phrased in the present. This is powerful! Visualising your life as if the change already exists allows you to be more mentally and emotionally committed.

New Year Themes

An alternative approach is to think about a theme or themes you would like to work with for the entire year. This might be around an emotion (e.g. 2017 will be a year of joy, or a year of peace), an approach (e.g. 2017 will be a year of play, of creativity, or of diligence), or it might be a theme of intention (e.g. 2017 will be a year of growth, of consolidation, of acceptance, or of new beginnings).
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I like themes as they give you the space to play with ideas and actions within the framework of the theme. They provide the lens, or approach for your thoughts, actions and mindset for the year.

My themes for 2017 are growth, connection and heart. 

What will 2017 look and feel like for you?

Warmest wishes,

Laurenne Di Salvo
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Leadership & Professional Development Coach | Corporate Trainer | Learning & Development Consultant
0413 776 564
www.harvestcoaching.com.au
Let's Connect

Do you have a favourite artist? I really love Hundertwasser. I love the vibrancy of his work, the colours he uses in his paintings and also his philosophies. He was an artist, an architect and a bit of a trailblazer in the environmental space and he very much brought this into his work.

I have a book on Hundertwasser that I haven't looked at in a long time that I was flicking through today and I have to say, his work makes my heart sing.

Sometimes I get a bit bogged down in day to day activities and forget to do things like just enjoy artwork and notice how it makes me feel. I wonder if this resonates for you? If so, I would highly recommend tapping into some sort of creative pursuit that you do simply for pleasure, not because you have to. It may be doing something creative yourself, or enjoying the creativity of others. It will still tap into the creative part of your brain too.

Notice how it makes you feel. Does it light you up? Does it give you energy? Does it make you smile? If it does, what a great habit to introduce into your life. It doesn't take much. It could be a few minutes looking at an art book, dancing around the loungeroom to one song you love, drawing, writing in a journal, gardening, or whatever feels creative and uplifting for you. 

Have a wonderful and creative week.

Warmest wishes,

Laurenne Di Salvo
Leadership & Professional Development Coach | Corporate Trainer | Learning & Development Consultant
0413 776 564
www.harvestcoaching.com.au
Let's Connect