Happy New Year!  I love this time of year, the optimism, hope and clean slate is so inspiring.  My wish for you is that you will be blessed with health, joy and purpose. May 2017 bring deep meanings that touch fill your heart and touch your soul.

MAKING RESOLUTIONS STICK

A lot of us thoughtfully make New Year’s resolutions. But if you’re like me the enthusiasm and dedication often wanes about the 3^rd week of January. In fact, there’s an actual statistic about New Year’s resolution. 92% are dropped, aborted, forgotten by the end of January. Yep a mere 8% of resolution makers carry through on these good intentions.

For the last 2 years, I’ve been approaching this resolution business differently and…it’s working!  I am able to maintain my commitment throughout the year. It’s a simple shift and it’s made all the difference.

TRY THIS….

This year Instead of the typical New Year’s resolution ask yourself, “How do I want to feel?” This question takes goals and resolutions out of the “task” frame and puts them into the “experience” frame. Think about it every goal you’ve ever created is because deep down you want to feel something — more freedom, more abundance, more fun, more love, more external recognition, more safety.

So, identify the feeling that’s behind 2017 goals. After all, what the heart wants to feel is a much more powerful motivator than what the head/ego wants to get done.

In a showdown between heart and head…the heart always wins.

To ensure success I make a vision board to support how I want to feel.

What’s a Vision Board?

Have you ever made one? These ‘manifesting’ collages have become a seriously helpful creative tool. Beloved by life coaches, wellness experts and the super fulfilled – because they work. The first of the year is the b-e-s-t time to get out the scissors, glue, tape, pens and start creating. Trust me….it will not be a wasted effort!

First, I must confess…. when I made my first vision I thought it was a fun exercise but I certainly didn’t expect it to have any impact in my life.  I mean sticking pretty picture on a board couldn’t affect my life. Right? I was open but skeptical.

So, I completed my first board and propped it up on my desk where I’d see it every day. Then a funny thing happened I noticed a shift in my thinking. Every time I would feel anxiety start to descend my board was right there to make me smile and remind me of my truth, of the things I really wanted for my life and what was possible. Then I would take a deep breath, release a sigh and settle in. Uplifted. Positive. Anticipating.

Then a significant breakthrough, I noticed I wasn’t just feeling better but I was creating some of the things on my board. The visual reminder of how I wanted to feel and what I wanted to create in my life wasn’t just fun it was making dreams concrete and real. It was acknowledging what I hoped for as if it had already happened and that was when I became a devoted vision board-er.

I’ve since made many vision boards and gotten it down to a beautiful science.

Here’s how to go about making a major earth moving vision board that will help realize how you want to feel and make your dreams a reality in 2017. Go for it. Start by dreaming big.

Here are 6 easy steps to make your own Vision Board

STEP 1 – HOW DO I WANT TO FEEL

Ask yourself – How do I want to feel this year?  Get comfy…start writing, doodling, get all your thoughts and feelings down. What’s on your list? Fulfilled, purposeful, creative, grateful, loving, healthy, vibrant, successful, open, curious, expansive…. make a list fill up a page or two. You might want to start with a stream of consciousness writing just to get the thoughts flowing. Identify what really lights you up. Distill it to one word.

STEP 2 – WHAT MAKES ME FEEL THIS WAY

With that feeling identified Ask yourself – What makes me feel this way? Again, go with a stream of consciousness writing to get the flow happening Get all your ideas on paper be it words, doddles, drawings…. capture it all. Don’t over think this… this is a playful exercise, go with your gut and have fun.

STEP 3 – MAKE IT VISUAL

Grab some magazines or head over to Pinterest. Look for visual representations of how you want to feel. What makes you feel that way? Cut out words, people, patterns, quotes, colours all the things that inspire you. Are you having fun? That’s how you’ll know you’re operating from your heart and not your head. Let your imagination loose. This is important work you are spending time with what you want to fill your life. You are giving it energy and making it real.

STEP 4 – DESIGN BOARD

Map out your images on your board. Do this before you glue or tape anything. Your vision board can be totally filled or have lots of space. Either way if totally fine. You can allow the empty space to inspire you knowing that as you go about your year you’ll uncover more depth and can add to your board.

STEP 5 – HANG BOARD

Hang your board where you’ll see it. Some people like small vision boards that fill inside a journal. Others like big ones that are posted on the wall or beside the bathroom mirror. Still others like it on a bed side table where they see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Me, I like mine on my desk right beside my computer where it’s always within eye range.

STEP 6 – SEE BOARD

Feel it…. become it. Now that you’ve tapped into what you want and you can see it every day you will be subconsciously making it real. The more excited you get about what you see the sooner it will find it’s way  into your life.

As I write this I’m looking back at a vision board I created 2 years ago, I wanted to feel strong and healthy and I feel fulfillment in supporting and becoming a champion of women 50+. Both of which have become real. I am a devotee of the Dailey Method and am strong, toned and fit. Two years ago, I was asked to give a keynote presentation to an audience of women, since then I’ve delivered many keynotes and presented countless workshops helping women rediscover themselves after working and parenting and find their passions and purpose. It is deeply fulfilling work and embodies a continuing theme in all my boards.

TRY IT

So, what do you have to lose? Unleash your playful side and give a Vision Board a try.  Don’t forget to let me know how it works!

Please share this post and help others have a deeply meaningful 2017!

I looking forward to living a truly amazing year together.

Best Wishes for an awesome 2017,

Cheryl