What a Difference a Year Makes

Ever since I closed Virtual Angel (which was a result of a December 26th epiphany), I always look at the coming year as one of new possibilities and themes.  During my 18-day vacation, I spent some time reflecting on 2007 and what I wanted from 2008. 

Some of that reflection was intentional; I set aside time and designed my goals and focus for 2008.  Some of it wasn't intentional.  For example, I had a call with Renee from Pensare Group about the results of an assessment I had taken.  Renee and I talked about the three main decisional styles (according to this particular assessment) and the fact that I use all three interchangeably and easily.  Some people might favor one or two, but I can flip flop back and forth.

The three decisional styles are (in case you're interested) personal (seeing the world from a human point of view), practical (a "just do it" way of thinking), and analytical (analyze and judge).  What this means for me is that if I do one thing too long, I can get bored.  Gee, could this be why I have five unfinished quilts, three unfinished cross-stitch projects, tons of ideas for writing?

That call provided some insight into how I work (and play) as well as how I can be the most productive, efficient, and happy. 

Other than the call with Renee and the time I deliberately set aside for reflection and creation, I just let things simmer.  I thought I might blog, but after padding my blog posts through Christmas, I never even thought about blogging.  I thought might write, but I never even thought about that either.  I forgot to check personal e-mail, and my family and I basically holed up in our own little world.

It was nice, but now it's time to come back.  :)

The result of all of that is that I'm starting 2008 with focus and clarity.  I have a theme for 2007 (creativity, foundation, and balance), and even one for 2008 (action with continued balance). 

Here are some of the things that got me to this place:

• Life gets hectic sometimes.  I just keep going and going.
• I need more time to BE.
• I have been planning one do-nothing day a month.  I want two or three.
• Sometimes I feel like I'm behind in making appointments, doing things around the house.  I need puttering time.
• I want to honor my three different thought processes and incorporate them into how I work.
• I've created and honed a writing and time management system that works (for the time being) for me.  Once again, foundation stuff.
• I need blocks of free time every day.  While this may not seem efficient or the way "everyone else does it," it's what helps ground me.
• I want to explore my spiritual side more.
• I've spent a lot of 2007 creating.  Now it's time to shift from creating to doing.  Refine what I've started and develop my ideas.  Once all of them are done (or I've decided not to do them), THEN I can create more.
• I need to continue to clear out and discard that which no longer serves me.

I'm excited about all this.  I feel so clear about what 2007 has done for me and what I want to do in 2008.

Sidenote:  These are the tools I've used and will continue to use to continue to have clarity and insight:  Laura's Joyful Business Guide and the The Sacred Journey journal/calendar/planning/symbolism system.

Comments

[Lynn Cutts]

Wow,Dawn, you are so focused. That's not my style right now, although, as you well know, it was for a long time. Right now, and for the past year or so, I've mostly been letting things come to me, and seeing where they take me. I see my progress as less linear and more wide-reaching--but progress nevertheless. And there have been adventures and opportunities I've never expected.

I'm not saying your way (or mine) is right or wrong; just that there's room for both. Some years/decades we need to be focused, directed, and moving forward. And others, well, we need to wander freely, and just see what there is to see.

[Dawn Goldberg]

I agree with you - what I'm doing works for me right now, and it may change. Heck, I know it will change. Each year has a different theme song, so to speak. For me, this year it's about doing, finishing, refining. Then, after that, who knows?

I think a lot of my life is a "let's see what happens" and "who knows." This year's happening and knowing just looks focused. :)