RESOLUTIONS SUCK: The Missing Step to Make Resolutions Stick

Part 1 of 3

Welcome to the last week of 2020.

Whew* you made it!

How was your 2020? Mine was a mix of excitement, adventure and success thrown together with anxiety, sadness, and moments of overwhelm and fear. For this I’m grateful.

I learned a LOT about myself and about my fellow human beings. 2020 has shown me what I’m made of and just how resilient we all are.

As you plan for the upcoming year, perhaps you just want to put 2020 behind you. But the best way to truly make change and ensure that you don’t repeat past mistakes, is to take a hard honest look at how you handled this past year. Aside from the things that are outside of your control, like COVID and politics, it’s essential to evaluate how you responded. What worked and what didn’t work. This will give you direction and focus for the year to come.

When setting goals for the new year, most people skip the self-evaluation step. So, I’ve created these 4 simple questions for you to reflect on 2020.

Clear some space in your calendar and a spot in your home. Print this worksheet and grab your favourite pen. Light some candles, incense, or a diffuser. Grab a drink and put on some music. Create a safe and comfortable space where you can relax and allow the creativity to flow.

This is a hands-on activity. Merely thinking about these questions is not the same as putting your answers in writing. That’s like saying, “I’ll THINK about making changes but I’m not actually going to DO them.”

Now that you’re all set, put pen to paper and answer these questions for yourself about 2020:

1. What went well? What was your biggest accomplishment or success? What are you most proud of?

2. What was the biggest decision you made or risk that you took?

3. What are the things that did not go well for you? What are your biggest regrets or things you are least proud of?

4. What was your biggest life lesson from 2020? What lesson do you want to remember and carry into 2021?

Based on your answers: what do you need to do more of and what do you need to STOP doing?

I’d love to hear how your brainstorm session went. If you need a hand with this worksheet or any other supports, please reach out by clicking "contact" on my main page.