New Year, Fresh Stop

At the start of the New Year, you probably find yourself reflecting on areas you want to improve and setting goals to add into your already busy life.

You may want to work out more, make more meals at home, or spend more time with your family. 

How can you add more if you do not first take something away?

This year, I offer a new challenge to you: Instead of a fresh start, look at the New Year as a fresh STOP.

Stop doing the things that are no longer serving you, so that you can replace it with something more fulfilling.

Here are some tips from my coach, Dr. Shawn Dill, to assess your values and create more space around them.

1. Make a list of everything that went well this year using the 6 P’s:

a. Purpose
b. Professional
c. Personal
d. People
e. Prosperity
f. Play

2. Make a list of things to improve, not a list of things that went wrong, and brainstorm the areas that need more focus and resources this year. The mindset here is that there are no mistakes, only lessons.

3. Make a list of what you need to stop – some of these will surprise you.

It could be obvious like – stop eating an entire bag of tortilla chips to manage stress (me).

Stop quitting commitments too early. Stop and reflect on what needs to change about your commitment. Is it a simple renewal. Are you being too critical and need to stop with the negative self-talk?

Think about the 80/20 Rule. For example, with time management 80% of your results will come from 20% of your effort.

Get rid of the things that do not produce the highest level, over time you’ll continue to achieve/serve bigger and better.

4. What things do you need to start? Start things that serve more. 

Reading, meditation, investments, weekly training, classes. 

Surround yourself with more positive people and how can you make an effort to spend more time with them?

Fresh starts are great, but a fresh start requires a full stop in order to unload the weight of what is no longer serving you.

Follow along this month as I discuss what I am stopping and unloading in the new year. 

On Instagram @thespecificchatt and through our email newsletter.

These journal prompts were shared by Dr. Shawn Dill (@drshawndill) with the Black Diamond Club.