How To Know When You're Ready To Plan Ahead
If you’re anything like me, turning the calendar page and having a fresh slate is very seductive.
And with the new year already here, it can feel like you’ve missed the best time to make new year's resolutions and set big goals for yourself.
As a natural born list maker, and a recovering perfectionist, I’m so very tempted to jump into full on planning mode right now. It’s part of what I do with my clients. But, I’m holding myself back.
I’m just not ready to plan ahead.
Maybe you’re not ready either. But, with all of the resolution and goal setting hype, you might be feeling behind. UGH! I hate that familiar feeling.
The truth is that you and I don't need to do what "everyone" else is doing.
Knowing when YOU'RE ready to plan ahead, is a self awareness skill that's critical for effective goal setting.
You are the boss of your life, after all. (Funny story: I’ll never forget when my then 4 year old, put her hands on her sassy little hips and told me, “You’re not the boss of me!”)
Since you're the boss of you, the question is:
How do you know when YOU’RE ready to plan out your new year?
As Margaret Wheatley said, “Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.”
While it’s tempting to plow through the planning process when the world says it’s time, promise me you won’t do it until you’ve made time to pause and reflect.
Your past experiences, especially the ones you’d rather forget, contain insights that can save you from overwhelm, resentment and burnout.
And if you’re thinking, “Lisa, I’m so burned out I wasn’t even going to set new goals this year!”...
I want you to schedule a Beyond Burnout Kickstart Call with me. Get on my schedule and begin to heal your burnout now. You don’t need to go into another year feeling less than your best.
Although right now isn’t the time for me to plan ahead, I’ve scheduled time on my calendar to do my own year in review next week. When the time’s right for you, feel free to use my template. You can download the Year End Review here.
Take time to PAUSE
So that you GAIN PERSPECTIVE
Before you PLAN AHEAD.
Living Fully Balanced: The quality of your year ahead is linked to your ability to reflect and learn from your past experiences. Do yourself a favor and don’t rush the process.