How can we make 2016 our best yet?

Here we are again friends. That first full week in January when the kids head back to school and we are left to regroup after the holiday hustle and bustle. We slowly begin to welcome back our routine and clear our minds to think about the wondorious new year ahead.

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Just what do you want out of 2016?

I have to admit that I don’t feel the renewed sense of excitement that I normally do when the calendar rolls over into a new year. Usually I have a clearer idea of what it is I want to do. But, this past year I accomplished a lot of great things. I joined a gym that makes me happy. I renewed my faith and was baptized. I gave my heart and soul to friends, family and strangers.  I traveled to new places and grew through some adversity.

I do know that I want to be better this year than I was the last. I want to build on strengths and learn from the weaknesses. How do I begin?

Knowing what we want out of 2016 takes starting with a review of our 2015.

Make a simple 2015 timeline

Start one end with January and work your way through the year placing positive events above the line and negative ones below. I looked back through my calendar to do this because Momma’s memory isn’t what it used to be.

What were your defining moments of 2015? Can you see or feel a theme of the year by reviewing your timeline?

After doing this exercise, I saw that 2015 was a year of rebuilding and renewal for me. I knew that it was going to be an interesting year coming off our amazing RV family sabbatical around the USA in 2014. Any time you experience a life changing event/year, it can be tough to bounce back if we’re not intentional in moving forward in our personal growth.

How did you change in 2015? 

Are you closer to your friends and family from your activities in 2015? Building meaningful relationship with those I love most is my focus every year.

After reviewing 2015, you should now have a platform to begin your action plan for this year.

Let’s start with yourself. 

Your person. Your being. Just you. Forget all those other people who occupy so much of your heart and mind. Your relationship with your own self is crucial to how things will play out for you this year.

Are you taking care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually? If so, how? If not, how can you do a better job?

What’s something you can plan or do that only benefits you? There is no guilt in taking care of our own soul. You can’t expect to take care of others without first nurturing your own spirit once in awhile.

Are you a difference maker in the lives of others?

What about in your own family? 

What do you want to teach your children this year? Think about what you want your offspring to know and feel when it’s time for them to leave your home. Start investing in that. Math is important but don’t let the academics outweigh what’s really important in life.

How can you carve out more time to strengthen your marriage and friendships? Don’t worry as much about how many calories you are consuming, but rather pay more attention to who you are consuming them with.

Are you serving your local community? Find a cause that makes you feel something in your core and put your efforts into it.

What are you doing Globally to make a difference?

We’ve got a whole year ahead and it’s up to us how we are going to spend that time. I’ve got faith in us that we can make 2016 our best year yet!

What excites you about 2016? What’s already on this year’s timeline?