This year will be different

Audible (free in Canada)

Great, short, actionable book with downloadable PDF. Use hastag #itsmyyear if sharing on X.

How I'm using this book (1 month sprint):

1. Find an accountability partner.

2. Print the workbook PDF.

3. Listen to one subsection (with 4 actionable items each) a day and fill in the actionable items for the day:

   1. Check off what's done.

   2. Set an end date for the remaining actions and start now.

   3. Review previous items and check off what's done.

4. When done, celebrate success and take a break before starting the next sprint!

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BE PRESENT

Jan 9: Look for the joy in each day

1. Start each day by deciding that ‘today is going to be a good day’

   • Positive affirmations are part of my morning routine, added as part of Game Changers

2. Actively look for something every day that gives you joy or makes you smile

   • Do this as part of sun salutations from fitness routine

3. Spend ten minutes doing something just for you

   • Pay attention what I'm doing each day for myself and journal it for a week.

4. Consciously capture a moment from each day

   • Jan 4: journaling is part of morning routine, though often I do this later in the day.

Jan 10: Slow down and switch off

• Focus on doing one thing at a time

  • Exception: Listening to Audible whenever not socializing or working intelectually

• Go for a walk (or run) in silence

  • Incorporated in morning routine

• Define a no-phone zone in your home

  • When in bed, when at the dinner table.

• Linger at the table for fifteen minutes after dinner

Jan 13: Be there when you’re there

• Don’t try to do something else while you’re speaking with someone

• Stand still when someone wants your attention

• Be honest when you’re not able to pay attention

• Define your quality time and schedule it in.

  • Already scheduling kids activities

  • Schedule other time spent with loved ones

  • Schedule 30m wellness activities

FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS

Jan 16: Get clear about what matters most

1. Ask yourself ‘what matters most to me?’

2. Express your values in a way that is deeply personal

3. Look for ways to make 10% improvements in your life

4. Make an appointment to review your values.

Remove the stress

1. Think about your values instead of pros and cons

2. Use your values to understand your conflicts

3. Focus on what you are getting out of a situation not what it’s taking from you.

4. Set a time limit for things that don’t make you happy

Prioritise your people

1. Call someone you care about for a ten-minute chat

2. Set calendar reminders to make sure you spend time with the people you care about

3. Reach out personally to someone you usually connect with in a group

4. Give the people you care about the best of you, not what’s left of you

CHOOSE TO BE OPTIMISTIC

Choose optimistic thoughts

1. Choose to focus on positives and tune out negatives

2. Expect to (eventually) succeed at everything you do

3. Instead of worrying, ask, ‘can I do anything about it?’

4. Practice being optimistic until it comes naturally

Develop an optimistic attitude

1. Give people the benefit of the doubt

2. Accept that very few consequences are long-lived

3. Don’t take things personally or say ‘why me?’

4. Remind yourself that nothing lasts forever, not even the tough times

Avoid negative influences

1. Unfollow anyone that leaves you feeling bad

2. Set a time limit for consuming the news

3. Keep (bad) news in perspective

4. Don’t try to change other people’s minds or bring them around to your way of thinking

CREATE MORE BALANCE

Start with your mindset

1. Give up perfectionism

2. Look in the mirror and say ‘I am enough'

3. Decide which areas of your life you want to excel in

4. Don’t compare your life to anyone else’s

Prepare to be balanced

1. Spend five minutes sitting in silence

2. Create habits that make life easier for you

3. Write a checklist for anything you do repeatedly

4. Stop rushing to fit everything in and enjoy some breathing room

Do more to do less

1. Put your own oxygen mask on first

2. Add a new interest or hobby to your life

3. Make commitments to yourself and don’t let anyone convince you to break them

4. Use your calendar to plan for a more balanced life

EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE

Say thank you

1. Tell someone how much you appreciate them and value having them in your life

2. Send a thank-you message, email or text

3. Acknowledge someone’s effort

4. Thank yourself for simply being you

Recognise your good fortune

1. Acknowledge the things that are going well for you

2. Catch yourself saying ‘I need’ and switch it to ‘I want’

3. Be grateful for the things that you have

4. Apply a gratitude ‘filter’ to your perspective

Master your money mindset

1. Focus on what you can afford not what you can’t

2. Think about your financial position as cash flow

3. Thank your money for being there when you need to spend it

4. Make a donation or gift to something worthwhile

FIND YOUR COURAGE

Be honest

1. Be honest with yourself about what you really want from life

2. Stop mistaking your fantasies for dreams

3. Take time to work out what you don’t want

4. Examine your envy for the lesson it holds

Build your confidence

1. Accept your fears but don’t let them stop you

2. Understand why you have been sabotaging yourself

3. Do something that takes you out of your comfort zone and makes you feel vulnerable

4. Speak up and ask for what you want and need

Strengthen your resilience

1. Accept that hurt, pain and discomfort are part of life

2. Don’t hide from or avoid the risk of failure

3. Ask yourself ‘what will I do differently next time?’

4. Stop worrying about the opinions of others

COMMIT TO YOURSELF

Work on your mindset

1. Don’t wait for something to happen, make it happen

2. Focus on your why, your intention, and let that underpin your commitment

3. Aim for the easiest target possible

4. Prepare for hiccups and hurdles in advance

Get out of the way

1. Don’t let your reasons become your excuses

2. Stop allowing your fears to create obstacles

3. Find a buddy to help you to stay on track

4. Don’t wait to feel motivated before you get started

Get back on track

1. Set a time limit for how long you are going to feel sorry for yourself

2. Look for the lesson every mistake holds

3. See the effort as part of the process and embrace it

4. Don’t give up until you succeed

LIVE WITH INTENTION

Listen to the whispers

1. Pay attention to what your quiet thoughts are telling you about what you really want from life

2. Use your values as your guide to what is right for you

3. Visualise your ideal future and see what you discover

4. Begin each day focussing on your intentions for your day and your life

Give yourself permission

1. Make time for things that will make a difference

2. If someone’s support is important to you, ask for it

3. Make sure your belief system is supportive

4. Don’t wait for anyone else to give you permission

Live on purpose

1. Be intentional about how you spend your time

2. Do something every day that takes you closer to your best, most brilliant life

3. Stop chasing your goals and focus on your intentions

4. Enjoy your life and the journey you are on