It’s kind of intriguing when I think about how our brains work. Why is it that a new year allows us to more easily start something, reset, recalibrate and set goals with new energy and intension? 

 

Whether it’s a new year, a new month, a new week or a new hour, there is something about these reoccurring instances that allows us to start fresh. New beginnings allow us an opportunity to start new things. They also tend follow the end of something else.

 

But how do we determine how to engage with this new beginning? Perhaps it requires reflection. Some sort of bird’s eye view that allows us to see things from a new angle and gain some perspective.

 

I find that when I reflect, I’m inclined to look at the whats in my life. Things I am doing and what I should, could, or would do differently. Things I might add or take out of my routine. These things are usually good and healthy desires, and result in bettering me in some way. However, why don’t they seem to stick?

 

This is undoubtedly complex, but as I reflect, I think about a coaching strategy that we use. Focus on the WHO rather than the WHAT.  

 

It tends to be easier to see the what, but when we listen for the who, we get a much clearer understanding of the root of a situation.

 

Perhaps when I first reflect on who I am being rather than what I am doing, I’ll get a better understand of what my landscape looks like. Then I can ask myself, who do I want to be? Then I can determine the difference.

 

I was reflecting during my Tuesday morning Soul Yoga session. As my friend Devany led us, she invited us to find a word to focus on for this year. We received space to reflect on where we see life and where we see light in our lives. 

 

She asked us to think about what areas, moments or interactions have brought us life in the past weeks, months and year? She encouraged us to look into these things to see where we might grow further this year.

 

Where are the areas where I see light in my life? 

Where in my life is it easiest for me to stand tall, confident and comfortable? 

When is it that I feel most like me, at my best?

 

Honestly, I’m still reflecting on these questions. I’m also working to filter these thoughts through the question around who I’m being and who I want to be. 

 

I like the idea of choosing a word for the year. It’s a great baseline and accountability to check in with as I move through the year. I actually chose a word last year and I really enjoyed how grounding it was to have. 

 

My word for 2020 was presence. Remain present and recognize when I could be more present to certain moments. With so many situations out of my control, it forced me to be more present. In 2020, so many of the extra curriculars were stripped away and we were given lots of time to just be. 

 

I was able to see the areas where I was stretched to a point where I couldn’t really enjoy just being in the present moment. Always planning or preparing for something coming up or thinking about how something went. I’m thankful for the time 2020 allowed for me to just be. 

 

Throughout the year, there were also of course many times of getting stuck in the weeds. Redundancy or loss or confusion or grief felt deflating and almost blinding. But at times, I would remember this idea of presence. When I remembered to lean into it, I was able to find the beauty in those moments. 

 

I think the trick is also finding ways to be reminded of this intention I set early in the year.  Recalling this word or phrase when most needed. 

 

Maybe it’s written somewhere that is easy to see or a regular journal entry. Perhaps it’s a spouse or a friend or a coach that can continue to call our attention back to this. Some way for us to stay accountable and measure our growth throughout the year.

 

Setting my intention first with a word or even a phrase, simplifies what I consider when thinking about who I am being this year.

 

Obviously, stepping into the things that bring me life and light, and allowing my best self to show up is certainly complex. It requires me to be honest with myself. Requires me to work on and remain dedicated to myself and those I love. 

 

In the coming posts, I will share some more of my thoughts and ideas on this and my own journey through a resource that Coach U uses called Personal Foundations. 

 

We all need a strong personal foundation for which everything else can stand on. Without a strong place to stand, it’s no wonder that some things crack while others fall.  

 

The tricky thing about this is that even after this strong foundation has been build, it requires constant maintenance and attention. But like a well-built house, as long as we care for it, maintain it and pay attention to it in the right ways, it can last a lifetime!