Resolution to Reality Series: Finding a Theme in our Dreams

From the previous posts in our Resolution to Reality series we’ve got some ideas and we’ve reframed them to be more positive.   Now we have to decide what resolutions are of the highest priority for us.  If you ended up with a large list from the first segment, It Starts with a Dream, looking at the list now might seem a little overwhelming.  We’ll just stress out if we put pressure on ourselves to do it all! That’s why we need to do the following:

1. Categorize the list of things you identified in that brainstorming activity into similar buckets.  Maybe start by using a different colour highlighter or pen to circle the ones that seem similar or linked in some way.
2. Create a theme.  Maybe they are life categories such as Personal, Professional, Family, Health, Finances, etc.  Or maybe it is more of a vision you have for your life in general.  For example, maybe you want to focus on gaining more Joy, Abundance, Self-Acceptance, etc.
3. Identify which categories hold the most importance to you.  What do you gravitate to or feel compelled to accomplish? Those are probably going to be the priority ones that you want to focus on for the year.  In my upcoming workshop, we’ll do an exercise to help sort that out for you.
4. Try to further segment the list of ideas in each of the categories as tasks, short-term wins and long-term wins.  The difference:
   • Tasks (T) are usually quick hits that you would perform weekly or just once, being able to complete them within a day or so.
   • Short-term goals (ST) are usually achieved within one to two months.
   • Both tasks and short term goals should tie in to the bigger objective, the long-term goals.
   • Long term goals (LT) may span a year or more and can seem insurmountable at first.  Breaking these longer objectives into smaller, more manageable, short term goals and tasks will help keep you motivated and on track.

Breaking down all of your hopes and dreams into actionable steps is really helpful in getting you to a place where you will see those resolutions come to fruition in 2013.  We’ll cover that even more so in the days ahead.  In the meantime, set aside some time, grab a tea and start journaling on the above.  I’m here if you need help.  Just leave a comment below 😉

If you’re interested in taking those positive resolutions and making them happen, join Michelle at her Resolution to Reality Workshop.  Click here to find out more.