When looking to the year ahead, I definitely like to set some specific goals, but I also choose a one-word intention for the year. As you might have guessed from all of our December posts about clearing out, my word for 2020 is minimalism.
I have identified ways that I want to achieve this in all areas of my life, hopefully leading to a more streamlined business, a cleaner house, and a regular meditation practice.
So how did I come up with this? Well, I asked myself some tough questions about 2020. I combine that with what I learned about myself in 2019 and voila! An intention emerges.
Want to try it? Grab a piece of paper and find a quiet spot where you can think. You might need a little more time for some of these questions, but it’s fine to answer them one at a time, or however life allows.
Here goes…
- How do I want to feel in 2020? Your reflection on last year might have shown you that you weren’t feeling as relaxed or inspired as you might be. This is a great chance to decide what you want this next year to feel like. A challenge? A vacation? Excited? Calm?There is no right answer, it’s whatever feels right for you.
- What are my focus areas for 2020? As the writer Annie Dillard says, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” So if you spend your days on things that are not important to you, one day you will realize that your life has been given over to them as well. This is your chance to pay attention to how you spend your days and focus on what matters to you.
- What do I want to release in 2020? Were there feelings, activities, or relationships that were bringing you down in 2019? Well, this might just be the year to let them go. Drop those bad habits like a hot potato, and lighten your load for the adventure ahead.
The most important part of this whole exercise is that you focus on YOU. Don’t worry about what is expected, or what other people think you should do or want. This is your chance to figure out what adventure you’re looking for.
Come back next week, and I’ll help you make a plan for how to go get it!
