Ever looked up from your life and thought “Huh? How did I get here?”

Some how you’ve gotten off track? You’re not living the life you so carefully planned.

Every January, I set intentions for the upcoming year.  I sit at my kitchen table, light a jasmine and bergamot candle, brew a pot of Red Berries tea, get my planning journal, tons of colored pens (makes the process more legit!) and set my goals for the year. 

It’s pure bliss and I get grumpy when I have new year’s plans, because this is truly my time.

And it never fails.

Like the saying that your eyes are too big for your stomach, my list of dreams, goals and achievements outpace my ability to get it all done.

What happens next is my typical response, and perhaps yours too.

By March I’m overwhelmed by my list- it looked so pretty with all those colored pens, but OMG it’s so long!  or I become distract by the next shiny object- new online marketing course, NYT best seller book idea.  Life gets in the way and I veer off course and what I set out to do just ends up on a crinkled piece of paper on my desk, stuffed under the ad from the cable company.

Then December arrives, and I panic.

My head explodes with blame and shame because another year has gone by and my intentions are littering my life like old chinese takeout boxes.

That list, covered in tea stains and a few exasperated tears, begins to haunt me. 

I look back and think, crap- another year wasted, how did I get here instead of there? (you know- the glory land where my list has been laminated with checked boxes next to each item, framed in gold and proudly displayed?)

It’s time for a reset.

And it’s never too late to recommit.

The difference is to be aware and present.  Louise Hay said, “The point of power is always in the present moment.”  You can live a successful life by choosing to start over again- in each moment- at any time.

It is never too late.

When you get off track, there are five steps to set you back on the path. 

1.  Reconfirm your values.  Yes- I’m a values harpy. 

Know what you’re committed to and use your values as the base for all your decisions and actions.  When you’re aligned with what’s important in your life, then it unfolds with ease and your attention flows to what makes you feel good.  When you feel good about something- you get it done.

2. Look at what’s on your plate.  Make a list of all the things you need to get done and a list of what you want to get done. 

Be realistic- are all the items on your need to get done list necessary or just wishful thinking?  If you aren’t really going to clean under the fridge- then let the dust bunnies be fruitful and multiply- grab them when they escape and cross it off your list.

Same goes for your want to get done list- think about why you want to do something.  If it’s because someone else wants you to- cross it off.  If it’s because you feel guilty about it- cross it off. If the word should is connected to it- cross it off.  A want is never a should- enough said.
This is important- don’t feel guilty or judge yourself about what’s left on the list. Practice self compassion, you’re doing the best you can -in the moment.

3.  Circle what makes you feel lusty.  Any item on either of your lists that produces a zing, or makes you feel hot and bothered, is a keeper. 

Whatever it is-it caused you to feel great, excited, nervous but it a good way.  Any positive emotional response is a clue.  This action or project makes your juices flow, so it will be both good for you and you’ll get it done.

4.  Recommit to the path.  Looking at all your circles, choose one. 

Just one from either list and choose the one that makes you feel frisky.  I know my choice is right when I feel like dancing, a spontaneous combustion type of dancing, kinda like when my dog Perri get the zoomies and races uncontrollably through the house, her tongue flapping, her joy on display.

5. Give yourself permission to succeed.  This is done by taking one small task each day that’s related to your goal, dream, or project. 

Staying in the present moment and not allowing all the doubts or ‘what if’s’ to flood your mind.  By focusing on one small task, you keep your momentum going.  It’s when you look to far into the future that your get tripped up.  Stay present- one task at a time, baby.
 
All those other items on your list? 

They’ll still be there or maybe not.  When you’ve completed your lusty project then take another look at the list- are there other tasks that can be crossed off, because they no longer matter?  We can only do one thing at a time and when you finish your task, achieve your dream, or reach the goal- celebrate! 

You did it!

This December, as I set the stage for my annual intention setting ritual, I’ll offer my self both grace and realistic expectations.  I know I’ll still have an aggressive list (4 to 5 goals, but not 15), but I also know that I can reset at any time and set myself back on track.

P.S. Have a friend that need to reboot her life?  Share this blog and help her keep on track and not buried alive by her to do list.