How to guide yourself to live BIG in 2021

Happy January 2021! I feel so much possibility in the air as we have left 2020 behind. I hope that you do as well.

As we all eagerly await important change — we will soon welcome new leadership, and we await widespread availability of vaccines to bring an end to the devastation of the pandemic that we all continue to live through — we can be the source of change in our lives.

How to make meaningful change in your life this year

For many, resolutions were made on New Year’s Eve. And I am all for setting out to make a desired change!

But resolutions typically fizzle fast. Deeper change can start with something more foundational than a desire to get more active, or to lose weight, or to save more.

I created a powerful approach years back to help you in a way that can sustain you beyond a week, a month or even a season.

Try my process to chose a word that will guide your year

If you have been with me a while, you may recall that in my first message of each year I recommend a process for choosing a word to guide you in the year ahead.

Why?

When you land on a key word for what you need most to support you to live a year of meaningful growth, you will be amazed at what can happen.

By choosing a single word to guide you, you will have a compass for how you show up and everything you do all year.

It may sound daunting to choose one word, or you may be tempted to think of one on the fly and go with it.

By following these steps, you will discover a word to return to over and over again, to remind and inspire you to be the person you want to be — so that your life grows and expands in big ways.

1. Reflect on the best parts of year that just ended

A great way to reflect with a structured approach is to use the suggestions I wrote about last week. (If you followed that process, you have a head-start on choosing your word of the year!)

Start with making a long list of all that you are proud of — down to the small stuff! In addition to acknowledging yourself for all of it, think about what stands out as being especially meaningful.

Put a star next to the things you see on your list that you want to KEEP — and build on — this year.

2. What do you want to change and what do you want to start?

What are you no longer willing to tolerate — in yourself, or in your life? What do you want to say, “NO!” to in 2021?

And, what do you want to start this year?

Make lists of the STOPS and the STARTS you want to bring into your life.

3. At the end of 2021, what has to have happened for you to call the year your BEST YEAR EVER?

This is where you sit back and envision yourself feeling thrilled by who you have become, how you have shown up, or what you have done in 2021 that makes you feel like you stretched and grew in ways that feel great.

Indulge in some time to write in a journal. You might want to write a letter from yourself at the end of 2021 to you now. In the letter, let your future self tell you about what has happened this year and all the steps you have taken in new ways, and the wonderful outcomes.

4. Now connect the dots

Look back at what you starred in Step 1 — what was most important about your successes in 2020, that you want to build on.

And look at what you decided you want to START in Step 2.

Next think about what you envisioned about yourself to feel you had your best year ever in Step 3.

What words come to mind that hold the energy to guide you for a year of growth and development — so that you live big in 2021?

Consider words that will inspire you to stretch and grow, to be the version of yourself you feel on the cusp of, or want more of.

Some words my clients have chosen in the past include TRUST, BOLD, BIG, JUSTICE, JOY, CONNECTED, FAITH, NURTURE, COURAGEOUS — and many more.

Here are two examples of words of the year I chose in the past.

The year after I had had health issues, I chose the word VIBRANT, to remind myself, and inspire myself, that I wanted a year of vibrant health, thinking, creativity and action.

The next year I chose DEPTH, to guide me to go even deeper in my coaching, writing, relationships and work as an artist.

What’s the one word that fits for you now, and that will inspire you over the months ahead?

When you have chosen it, you’ll have a valuable resource.

To make your word really work for you, print it in bold big letters and hang it where you will see it each day, or you might make it the opening screen on your phone.

Each time you see your word you will be prompted to think about how your are living your word. And share your word with those who can support you to live into your word all year.

Please share your word for 2021

I would be delighted to hear the word you chose and why you chose it. And I’d love to know the vision you have for yourself at the end of 2021, that your word will inspire.

Drop me a note and let me know! (I'll reply and share my word for 2021 with you, too.)

And if you want to clearly shape your vision for 2021, join me to create a vision board at my Dream Big Vision Board Workshop, on Sunday, January 17.

I am delighted to offer this workshop on Zoom, so that you can safely join me from anywhere on the globe. This powerful and meaningful experience will bring you clarity and inspiration, to envision specific elements of the year you want to create in 2021. Register for the workshop here.

Wishing you health, joy, love, peace, and all good things.

Stay safe and well, and keep creating.