Are You Finishing 2022 Rested or Finishing Strong?

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is my favorite week of the year (Yep, I like it even more than my birth-week!). Maybe it’s your fave too? Because usually nothing is scheduled that week. It’s like getting a bonus week where I can rest, play, review my past year and plan for the next one.

One thing I do during that “bonus” week is – Go through the months in my past calendar.
I review each week and each activity.

I ask myself these three questions:

• Did this activity energize me?
• Did this activity drain me?
• Did this activity help me align with my values & goals?

It’s super helpful to see where I spent time, and how that helped or hindered me, which is useful in planning for the upcoming year.

If you’ve never done this, I highly recommend it. Keep in mind, you need to set aside a few hours for it. And when you do this and then schedule for 2023, -to the extent you can- schedule in more of what energizes you and less of what drains you.

TIP: These three questions also make an excellent evening journal prompt. It helps you realize real quick where you’re spending time that isn’t making you feel good or moving you forward so you can adjust accordingly.

During December’s last week, in addition to reviewing, visioning, and planning I also just love the downtime. This poem by Edgar Guest makes me smile, I included it because I thought you might like it too.

(You may have heard of Edgar A Guest (1881-1959), he became known as ‘the people’s poet’ because his poems often had an inspirational and optimistic view of everyday life).

The happiest nights I ever know
Are those when I have no place to go,

And the missus says when the day is through:
“Tonight we haven’t a thing to do.”

Oh, the joy of it, and the peace untold
Or sitting ‘round in my slippers old,

With my pipe and book in my easy chair,
Knowing I needn’t go anywhere.

Needn’t hurry my evening meal
Nor force the smiles that I do not feel,

But can grab a book from a nearby shelf,
And drop all sham and be myself.

Oh, the charm of it and the comfort rare;
Nothing on earth with it can compare;

And I’m sorry for him who doesn’t know
The joy of having no place to go.

Edgar A. Guest

As you enjoy Christmas this weekend do your best to prioritize some rest for yourself. And block out time on your next week’s schedule for reviewing, dreaming, planning, and just “sitting ‘round in your slippers old”.

Much Love,
Carolyn