Forget Resolutions. Craft a Life Theme that Works.
How many people do you know who, in January, enthusiastically
name their resolution for the year yet somehow neglect to follow
through with it a few weeks or months later? Forget making New
Year's resolutions. They rarely work because they are often
based on "shoulds" versus the bigger picture of your life. What
I've found does work is creating a life theme for the year ahead.
Your life theme will be your overriding intention or "big
picture" focus for the upcoming months. It has an expiration
date of December 31, when you'll get a chance to re-evaluate
your direction. Having a life theme is like having a personal
mission statement for your whole life, personal and
professional, updated annually. A life theme works because it
takes into consideration and connects all your intentions for
the year in a succinct and powerful phrase. This collection of
one to five words describes what you want to accomplish in all
areas of your life and cements your main priorities with
intended action.
Discover Your Intentions
Perhaps as you've explored who you are and what you want to
create for your life, you've noticed that "Wellbeing" or
"Wellness" has come up for you over and over. Or perhaps you've
noticed more of a "Relationship" theme. Or maybe the word
"Passion" has tugged at your heart repeatedly, or you've focused
on "Patience." These are all great themes for the upcoming year.
Through your own personal discovery, you may recognize that you
haven't made time in your life for many friends, that your
networks are weak and that you'd like to have a social circle
beyond your immediate family. Your life theme in this case could
be "Connection." It may be you've realized that your life is far
more filled with work and errands than with fun and play, and
you want to fix that imbalance. Your life theme then could be
"Energize."
Feel the Magic
Base your theme on what you find joyful and what you want to
accomplish both personally and professionally. Your theme needs
to strike an emotional chord with you and bring a smile to your
face when your say it. You must own it. You must feel your
theme's magic. It must propel you forward.
Now take a few moments to reflect on the bigger picture vision
you have for your life. What would you like to accomplish first?
What will bring you joy and fulfillment with your work, your
family, and your personal time? What is the essence of what you
wish to experience in this upcoming year? When you have an idea
of what it is you wish to create and who you want to "be," take
some time to meditate or concentrate on developing your life
theme. The right phrase for you may come to you immediately, or
it may take some time to evolve.
Brief is Best
When the phrase does reveal itself to you, try to keep it to a
maximum of five words. Brief is better. Feel the power of these
concise life themes: "Let go. Rebuild. Move Forward. Growth and
Independence. Balance and Follow-through. Connection. Stretch.
Calm and Quiet." You might have to live with your life theme for
a week before you know that it's the one that will speak to you
for the next year. You will know when you've got it.
Get Started
Once your life theme is clear, write it down. Put it where you
will see it every day as a reminder of where you are heading in
2005. Tell loved ones, friends and colleagues what your life
theme is. The more often you say it and share the more real it
will become. Every time you make a decision large and small put
it through your life theme filter. If your theme is "connection"
say yes to building friendships, social invitations and
neighborhood parties. If your theme is "adventure and fun"
perhaps you say no that new pair of shoes and yes to signing up
for a rock climbing course. The most surefire method to ensuring
you live your life theme is to ask yourself every morning when
you wake "what can I do today to experience my life theme." The
key to success is to be intentional with your thoughts and
actions on a daily basis. By living intentionally and with
purpose you'll never feel the need to make another New Year's
resolution again.