Here’s how I know 2018 is going to rock:
I’ve already seen it.
In my own kind of crystal ball.
Every year around this time, I create the year ahead with this incredibly fun, inspiring and extremely revealing envisioning process.
Let me share it with you, and then I’ll explain why it delights me so.
Here’s how I do it:
#1 Set aside a good chunk of time… at least 90 minutes. If necessary, you can do this process in segments – an hour here, a half hour there – but it’s best if you carve out the time and clear a space so you can sink down into this process without interruption.
Pour yourself a glass of champagne (really good champagne, please. No cheap stuff) or a cup of tea. Grab a pile of paper (or one of those spiral books full of drawing paper) and your favorite pen.
Sit somewhere dreamy and then…
#2 Imagine it’s New Year’s Eve of 2018. This brand new year is already over and done with. And because it’s been such a dazzlingly delightful year, you decide to write about all amazing things you experienced in 2018.
Put your pen to paper and start with “It’s New Year’s Eve, 2018, and I’m…” then continue writing whatever comes to you. Where are you on New Year’s Eve 2018? Who are you, for that matter? What happened this year? What did you experience, achieve, have, do, become? Who did you meet? Where did you go?
Let this vision shoot straight up and out of your heart, exactly as you want it to unfold, and as if it has already happened.
You can include every aspect of your life. Your business, your family, your health, your relationships, your income, your vacations, your home, etc. But don’t force it. Just go with whatever lights you up and feels happy and wonderful.
You may want to include all the ways you evolved as a person this year, the aspects of yourself that blossomed or came out of hiding. Maybe you claimed your authentic voice and stepped into your authority and expertise. Maybe you became more confident and sure of your direction.
Have it the way you want it!
#3 Follow your excitement and passion… and let yourself be surprised. What I love the most about this process is I’m always surprised by what comes up and out of me. In a very real way, I let my vision write itself. And when I do, it reveals what my true desires, priorities and values are. For instance, this year, a huge part of my vision centered around my spiritual life and my relationships. That’s where I felt the most juice, fire, and inspiration.
Huh. Go figure. I thought it would be about my upcoming launch.
Plus, don’t be surprised if this process wakes up old desires and reveals buried truths. The day after I wrote my vision, I had an epiphany – clear and bright and heart-pounding – about what I really want to do in my work. The truth of it was so stunningly clear… as was the fact that I’d been ignoring and avoiding this obvious truth for years.
So, be prepared to be surprised and enlightened by your own vision. And if dormant desires and new revelations come to you, let ‘em come!
One very important tip: If you start to write something and you start to contract inside, or it starts feeling forced, dull or heavy instead of exciting and fun, stop. One or two things may be happening.
You’ve either written something you don’t believe is possible for you, OR you’ve written something you think you should include or should want, but you don’t really want to. Not really.
So, dump it. Or rewrite that part of your vision so it feels real, believable and exciting. Not daunting or confusing or impossible.
It’s important that every part of your vision feel yummy and inspiring to you. If you write something that argues with what you believe is possible, you’ll shut down around it rather than feel inspired by it. You don’t have to throw out the idea or the desire; you just need to write it in a way that feels good and believable to you.
One more tip: Once you’ve written your vision for 2018, read it at least once a week throughout the year. At least. And as you do, own it. Have it like it’s your reality right now!
Let your vision inspire you to make changes and take specific action towards bringing that vision to life.
Ask yourself, what can I do daily, consistently, that’s aligned with my vision? And let yourself receive the answer.
So, when are you going to create your own vision for this New Year? Come on, give me a day and time below in the comments.
Or share with me your favorite New Year’s ritual… the one that gets you pumped for the year ahead.
Here’s to the Happiest of Happy New Years! May it surprise and delight you in every way.