Create An Extraordinary Year (Part 1)
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ~ Mary Oliver
This quote always gives me goosebumps. It’s energizing and puts a smile on my face.
And as this year comes to an end, the following question has started percolating in my brain and heart:
“How am I going to make 2022 an extraordinary year?”
My body and mind come alive when I ponder this question.
I like to think about what is possible, but do you know what is even more fun?
DOING IT!
I’ve got some bold and thrilling plans for 2022 (hint, it involves some amazing travel). And I’ll be honest, I can get overwhelmed sometimes thinking about how to make it all happen.
It’s easy to talk myself down and say it’s all too much, too hard, unrealistic, expensive, privileged or COVID will derail it.
These downer thoughts have the potential to rob me of my dreams and keep me stuck.
They don’t serve me. It’s like trying to run a race with a heavy ball and chain around my ankles. It slows me down and could eventually break my spirit.
The Solution (Step 1)
First, I became intimately aware of the thoughts that aren’t serving me.
I noticed 10 different fears that liked to take center stage in my brain.
I looked carefully at each and dissected them.
I asked myself: “Are they really true? Are they facts or thoughts?”
“How can I address them? What other possibilities could happen instead?”
Then for every negative thought I had, I came up with three positive ones that I also believed. Funnily enough, my brain hadn’t been focusing on them. When I look at my list now, the positives totally outweigh the negatives (half of which weren’t even true).
Our brains are wired to amplify the negatives and what ifs! It’s what kept our distant ancestors alive in the wild and can keep us safe when needed today. It’s part of being human.
So a healthy rule of thumb is to practice maintaining a ratio of at least three-to-one positive to negative thoughts.
For many of us this takes practice. It doesn’t come naturally. I stared at my paper for a while reorienting my brain to look at all the potential positives.
But within 30 minutes of following this simple exercise, I was able to reduce the weight of that ball and chain around my ankles from 30 lbs to 3 lbs. I still had more work to do. So stay tuned for part two of this process.
In the meantime, what would make 2022 an extraordinary year for you?
Take out a piece of paper and excavate all those thoughts that are holding you back. Then challenge yourself to dissect them and come up with three positive thoughts for everyone one negative. Have fun with it. Notice how you feel afterwards.
Let me know how it goes. Feel free to share it with me.
And if you’d like help planning and creating an extraordinary year in 2022, I have five slots opening up in January for some planning sessions.
Over three sessions in January we’ll look at your lessons learned from 2021, develop your goals, and outline an action plan for 2022. You’ll also have the option to continue working with me afterwards if you’d like continued support and accountability.
This is perfect for you if you’re ready to dust off those dreams, look at those fears, courageously go after your goals, and have some fun!
Sign up by December 24th and the investment is only $450 (normally $650). Email me if you’re interested and would like to learn more. I can’t wait to help you get started.
🦋 Testimonial from a recent client:
"Melody is the best! She had my back from day one and gently held me accountable to the goals I set for myself. She goes above and beyond the goal, to figure out what’s contributing to current situations and how to navigate getting to your destination. You’ll be amazed at how the destination can change once you start getting to know yourself better, and Melody is along for the ride! She’s real, honest, caring and extremely compassionate." ~ Kelly D.