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Rethinking Resolutions: Welcome New Year

By Kathleen Schulweis

Every New Year's Eve I take my favorite pen and some delicious thick writing paper, settle down in my quiet office and think about the past year and then set my compass for the future.

While this is a lovely ritual, until recently it rarely gave me the direction or 'do it' attitude I needed to keep my resolutions. Today things are different. Instead of creating a list, I create a map based on my core values and my deepest desires for the world and me.

Here are the values I use to assess my year and plan for the future. My hope is they will help you set your direction and stay on course.

The Wheel of Life:
On a scale of 1-10 (0 being wow, I am miserable and 10 being outstanding) where do I need to focus my energies?

  • Career
  • Family and Friends
  • Significant Other
  • Fun and Recreation
  • Health
  • Economy
  • Personal Growth
  • My Physical Environment

Leadership:
On a scale of 1-10 (0 being wow, I am miserable and 10 being outstanding) where do I need to focus my energies?

  • Promoting Stability
  • Planning & Budgeting
  • Setting Goals
  • Organization
  • Problem-solving
  • Motivation

This exercise gives me the opportunity to look at my life and my productivity and see what I need to work on. Once I look at myself, I can set realistic and measurable goals. And, I can choose accountability partners to help me stick with my plans, and I can measure my progress.

January is a time to create new opportunities. Take time this month to review your world and build your confidence one goal and plan at a time.

Best wishes for a healthy, productive and satisfying new year.