Vault Special: The Game-Changing New Year Practice that Transformed My Personal & Family Life
Unlocking Your Best Year Yet: A Game-Changing New Year Practice for Busy Parents
As parents, we often find ourselves caught in the whirlwind of family life, juggling responsibilities and trying to keep everyone happy. But what if there was a way to not only manage the chaos but also thrive in it? What if you could feel more energized, excited about life, and fulfilled, all while being an amazing parent? Well, my friend, I've got some exciting news for you.
I recently came across a transformative practice that has the power to revolutionize how you approach your personal and family life. It's a method used by high-performers like Rachel Hollis and John Maxwell, and I'm thrilled to share it with you today. This practice isn't just about setting New Year's resolutions; it's about intentionally crafting a life that aligns with your values and brings you joy.
The Power of Reflection
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's take a moment to appreciate the importance of reflection. As Rachel Hollis wisely points out:
"The problem as people is that we're often moving so fast that we don't stop to see where we're going. We don't stop to analyze and reassess and make sure we're heading in the right direction and make sure we're not making the same mistakes over and over."
How true is that? As parents, we're constantly in motion, reacting to the needs of our family, work, and countless other responsibilities. But without pausing to reflect, we risk falling into patterns that don't serve us or our loved ones.
The Game-Changing New Year Practice
So, what's this magical practice I'm talking about? It's a comprehensive year-end audit that takes about half a day to complete. I know what you're thinking – "Half a day? I barely have time for a shower!" But trust me, this investment of time will pay dividends throughout the entire year.
Here's how it works:
Schedule Uninterrupted Time: Set aside about half a day between Christmas and New Year's (or whenever you can manage it) for this practice.
Gather Your Calendar: Whether you use a paper planner or a digital calendar, have it ready.
Create Three Lists: As you go through your calendar day by day, you'll be making three important lists.
List 1: The Awesome and Worth It
Go through your calendar and identify things that were awesome and worth your time. These are activities, events, or moments that positively impacted your home life, work life, or personal growth. They're the things you want to see more of in the coming year.
For example, maybe you started a weekly family game night that brought everyone closer together. Or perhaps you finally took that art class you've been dreaming about for years. Write these down – they're gold!
List 2: The Time and Energy Wasters
Next, identify what wasted your time and energy. These are the activities that left you feeling stressed, anxious, or simply unfulfilled. Maybe it's that committee you joined out of obligation but dreaded every meeting. Or those hours spent mindlessly scrolling social media when you could have been reading or connecting with your kids.
Remember, this isn't about beating yourself up. It's about learning and growing. As the saying goes,
"Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." - Henry Ford
List 3: Your "Life" Moments
This list is all about identifying the moments when you felt most alive, joyful, and fulfilled. Rachel Hollis shares her top five:
"For her, they were date nights with her husband, really good long and slow meals, long runs outside, massages, and dinners with her girlfriends."
What are your top five? Maybe it's family movie nights, quiet mornings with a cup of coffee before the kids wake up, or weekend hikes in nature. These are the experiences you want to prioritize in the coming year.
Putting It All Together
Now that you have your three lists, it's time to put this information into action:
Schedule Your Top Five: Take your "Life" moments and schedule them throughout the year. Yes, right now! Put them in your calendar for the entire year ahead.
Increase the Awesome: Look at your "Awesome and Worth It" list and find ways to incorporate more of these activities into your life.
Decrease the Waste: Identify strategies to minimize or eliminate the time and energy wasters you've identified.
Making It a Habit
While this annual audit is powerful, you can amplify its effects by incorporating some simple practices throughout the year:
Daily Wins: At the end of each day, jot down your top three wins. This helps you focus on the positive and builds momentum.
Weekly Reflection: Take a few minutes at the end of each week to review your top wins and set intentions for the coming week.
Monthly Check-In: Spend 10-15 minutes at the end of each month to review your progress. Ask yourself:
Did I reach my goals? Why or why not?
What score do I give myself from 1 to 10?
Which areas of wellness were lacking, and how can I improve next month?
What are my top 3-5 wins for the month (personal and professional)?
The Impact on Your Family Life
You might be wondering, "How does all this self-reflection benefit my family?" The answer is simple: when you're living intentionally and feeling fulfilled, you show up as your best self for your loved ones.
By prioritizing your needs and focusing on what truly matters, you're modeling healthy self-care and boundaries for your children. You're showing them that it's possible to nurture your own gifts and talents while still being a present, loving parent.
Moreover, by eliminating time-wasters and focusing on high-value activities, you'll likely find that you have more quality time to spend with your family. And because you're regularly checking in with yourself, you'll be more attuned to your family's needs and better equipped to address them.
Overcoming Obstacles
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: "This sounds great in theory, but how do I actually make it happen?" Here are some tips to help you overcome common obstacles:
Time Constraints: If you can't find a full half-day, break the audit into smaller chunks. Do a little bit each day over the course of a week.
Feeling Overwhelmed: Start small. If the full process seems daunting, begin with just the daily wins and work your way up to the more comprehensive practices.
Lack of Consistency: Use reminders on your phone or stick post-it notes in visible places to help you remember your new habits.
Guilt: Remember, taking care of yourself isn't selfish – it's necessary. You can't pour from an empty cup.
The Long-Term Benefits
Imagine a year from now. You've been consistently reflecting, prioritizing, and adjusting course as needed. You're more aware of what truly matters to you and your family. You're spending less time on activities that drain you and more time on those that energize you.
Your kids see a parent who's not just going through the motions, but actively engaged in creating a fulfilling life. They're learning valuable lessons about self-care, goal-setting, and the importance of reflection.
As the podcast host beautifully puts it:
"You'll find yourself wasting less time on things that don't bring you joy or fulfillment, and you'll become wiser. You'll become a better steward, and you'll become who you were meant to become."
Your Invitation to Change
So, my friend, are you ready to transform your approach to life and parenting? Are you willing to invest a little time now for a year of increased joy, fulfillment, and intentional living?
Remember, this isn't about perfection. It's about progress. It's about making small, consistent changes that add up to big results over time.
As you embark on this journey, keep in mind the words of the great Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." This practice is your opportunity to know better and do better, for yourself and for your family.
I invite you to give this game-changing practice a try. Schedule that half-day audit, start noting your daily wins, and see how it transforms your life. And don't forget to celebrate your progress along the way!
Here's to a year of intentional living, deeper family connections, and becoming the best version of yourself. You've got this, and your family will thank you for it.
Join us on Fulfillment Therapy, where you'll find healing, wellness, and the tools needed to live a life you can't wait to wake up to. Together, we can create positive ripples of change and help others ignite their lives with lasting joy and fulfillment.
Thanks for reading and listening and shine boldly and brightly, my friends!
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