2015 has been quite a ride!
What a huge surprise! When I sat down and thought about what I did this year, I honestly didn’t think I’d done too much at all.
But then Rae made me do an exercise, which made me look a little closer at the year. (Rae forces me, usually kicking and screaming, to do these little exercises of self-discovery. I hate them at the time, but always appreciate them afterwards. I feel sorry for Rae… if only I was a little easier to work with. Maybe in 2016!)
The exercise was simple enough… go through my work planner (I designed one for myself as I don’t fit into any of the commercially available planners. More about this in a minute) and look at the year with a kind heart. I had to find at least one Accomplishment or Magic Moment for each month.
As I started to flick through the pages, I saw achievement after achievement. Magic Moments were everywhere. Even though what I thought were negative events, there were many positive lessons and opportunities which shone through.
Some were obvious, like winning the ‘Spec Challenge’ at the AWAI Bootcamp in Florida. But others were more humble and personal, like spending quality time with my parents on a short, local vacation or when Rae bought me my camera and fueled my passion for photography.
Of course, my health adventure was mentioned for November and December because they were both magic moments and accomplishments involved. But I won’t bore you with the gory details… I think you get the picture.
At the end, I had a page full of accomplishments and magic moments. I was surprised! I really thought I hadn’t done too much all year.
The next exercise Rae made me do, was to write out my goals for 2016. Now, I’m not a huge fan of goals (I am a bit of a “goalaphobe” after a set of self-development courses traumatised me. I made “big hairy goals” that never happened and I was left feeling unfulfilled, bitterly disappointed and depressed) so these days I set outcomes.
I didn’t think I could get to five, but when you put them into categories such as relationship, career, lifestyle etc. you can get a substantial list quite quickly.
Despite my initial shenanigans, I actually enjoyed the process and feel better equipped for next year.
I know if I hadn’t reviewed my year the way I did, I know I would have been stuck thinking that I hadn’t done too much in 2015. But by reviewing the year, I saw what I had actually achieved and can set out to top it in 2016. Easy peasy!
Next on the “end of the year” Action Plan for 2016 was to print up and compile my work planner/ diary.
I made my own template on Excel that I use. It has the regular 7 days for the week. My day starts at 5am (this is when a lot of my webinars are on) and ends at 6pm.
I have sections for my current projects, which allow me to see when I have no more room for clients (one section is always filled with “Pauline Inc” so I remember to work on my own business. Because, if you don’t make the time in your diary… you won’t make the time at all.)
On the back I have graph paper printed so I can use it to write out tasks or strategies. And instead of having important notes on pieces of paper, they are written here so I can find them again easily. (As I reviewed my year, I saw a few sheets that have ideas mapped out that I know are worth a fortune when I finally have time to implement them. At least for now, I know exactly where they are.)
Each week I expect myself to improve only 1%, which doesn’t sound like much, but when you do it consistently… the result compounds (and it removes the pressure I usually put on myself.) When I achieve the 1%, I get a tick and a gold star (Yay Me!)
I hope you’re still with me and you haven’t nodded off as you were reading my Action Plan for 2016.
The reason I say that is, what I just shared with you is pretty basic stuff. In fact some would say “I know” and it’s not rocket science.
Which leads me to…
Knowledge Nugget #19: “I Know!”…
The Two Most Costly Words You Can Ever Say!
I’m sure you’ve seen it before (or perhaps it has even happened to you)… A person trying to share their tried and tested wisdom with someone else and the potential recipient says, “I know!”
For me, nothing shuts down a conversation faster than those two words.
Why? Well, because the person has already made up their mind that they “know” what you are saying, and nothing you say will get through to them. I usually shut up and let them go on their merry way.
I saw and experienced it in the Army, in nursing, in business… it happens everywhere.
So most people “know” they need to plan for 2016, but how many have done it. Everyone “knows” 2016 is only 2 days away… but it will take them all by surprise. I’m astonished that even with all the clocks and calendars, people think time sneaks up on them.
“Knowing” isn’t knowing
What’s the difference? “Knowing” is done with your conscious mind and is superficial, where as knowing is done with your subconscious mind and is a deep, almost spiritual knowingness.
I used to automatically say “I know” when something was familiar to me. But one day, I realized that my knowingness was only superficial. When I actually thought about what had been said, my knowledge was severely deficient.
These days, even if I’ve heard a story, a piece of information or timeless wisdom a hundred times before, I’ll close my mouth and listen.
And there is a good reason I do. You see I am not the same person I was when I heard it the first time. (It’s like when you read a book for the second time, you notice details you may have missed the first time.)
My Grandfather used to tell me the same stories every time I saw him. I never told him I’d heard it before because each time I heard the story, there was something new for me. Whether it was a detail in the story, or the way the story was told (he was a great storyteller) I would always learn something new. I think he trained me to be the listener I am today. (Thanks Pop!)
So back to planning for 2016…
I know you’ve probably heard it all before and perhaps you already “know” what I mentioned above. But my question to you is… do you really know?
If you’re guided, try the exercises. I wasn’t keen at the start but now I “know” better 😉 (Thanks Rae!)
Have a great New Year and however you celebrate… please stay safe. (Not many people read my emails so I need the few who do, to take care of themselves)
Until next week, have fun and stay awesome!
Cheers,
Pauline xxx
a.k.a. “The Copy Alchemist”
P.S. If you want a copy of my work planner/ diary sheet, just email me and I’ll send it to you. (I printed it up 52 times and bound it together. I have scheduled all my important dates as well as a few events that are important to me such as full moons, mercury in retrograde etc. “Woo Woo”, I know, but I like to be prepared!)
P.P.S. I truly hope that 2016 is your best year yet! I am planning that it will be my best year yet. For the first time, I am allowing myself to Dream Big… Really BIG! Lets see what we can do.
Happy New Year!
P.P.P.S. If you want to receive my “Knowledge Nuggets” on a weekly basis straight to your inbox, click on the link and sign up: www.TheCopyAlchemist.com/weekly-email