I do not make New Year's resolutions because I usually break them by the second week of January. However, every January, I have a practice that helps clarify what is important to me. I evaluate my calendar entries, pictures, and books I read from the previous year to reflect, plan, and, most importantly, ensure that my time aligns with my personal goals and values. This practice has helped me adjust how I spend my time and leads to a more purposeful life. In this post, I'll share my approach to aligning my calendar with my aspirations.
Vision-Driven Living: Aligning Daily Tasks with Life's Core Values
When unclear about my life's direction, I often feel like a hamster on a wheel, endlessly running but getting nowhere. I struggle to prioritize my daily tasks and become overwhelmed by the demands of others, bills, family, and work. To combat this, I proactively evaluate the previous year to ensure that my activities align with my goals and values. This approach helps me to think more boldly and set higher goals for myself. I allow myself to have a vision that resonates deeply with my emotions, which helps me let go of limiting beliefs that might hinder my progress.
Assessing the Year's Highs and Lows
Looking back at my calendar, pictures, and books I read helps me identify the high and low points of the past year. I take the time to reflect on the activities that brought me energy and joy and those that drained my energy. This reflection helps me to determine what worked well for me and what didn't, what I want to spend more time on, and what I should avoid or stop doing. This practice helps me prioritize my time and focus on what truly matters.
I try to categorize these reflections into seven critical areas of my life:
Professional – refers to your work but is more than just a job - it encompasses your identity, passion, and purpose.
Personal - involves our hobbies and pursuits unique to us and our time alone.
Physical - refers to the time we spend caring for our body through fitness or nutrition.
Intellectual - our curiosity manifests itself as, for example, when we read for pleasure.
Emotional - involves how we think and feel about ourselves and our circumstances.
Spiritual - how our beliefs, values, and morals are nurtured. This doesn't require religious beliefs.
Family and community - represent a spectrum of interpersonal roles, including child, parent, partner, friend, neighbor, and citizen, where you might engage in one or a combination of these roles, each shaping your interactions and contributions to your immediate and broader social environments.
A few of the critical insights that I identified:
In April, I started to work on a research project on Black maternity health with a group of experts. This was explicitly engaging because it aligned closely with my passion for health equity and innovation. A sign that I want to have more of that kind of engagement.
Last October, I went on a cycling trip with two childhood friends from Rome to Naples and along the Amalfi coast. This adventure was a physical challenge and a deeply personal experience. It reminded me of the value of reconnecting with friends and indulging in my love for cycling and exploring. I need to ensure that I schedule this type of trip again.
In November, I suffered a major back injury, which was a significant setback. It forced me to take time off working out and impacted my overall well-being. This period was a stark reminder of the importance of caring for my body. Reflecting on this, I recognize the need to modify my exercise routine to include more yoga and Pilates, focusing on flexibility and core strength to help prevent such injuries in the future.
Upon reviewing the books I read last year, alongside those for work, I realized that I indulged significantly in fiction, which I found immensely enjoyable. However, this led to an unintentional neglect of reading books aimed at personal growth, which I usually prioritize. This insight encourages me to read at least two such books this year. I'm open to recommendations for impactful books that can contribute to my growth.
Aligning Intentions with Actions
After reflecting on my goals and desires, I make sure that I prioritize each aspect of my life without adhering to an inflexible schedule. I strive to create room for personal growth, happiness, and harmony. In addition, I have learned that more than adding new activities to my daily routine is required. It is equally essential to simplify and eliminate unnecessary clutter from my life. As a result, simplifying my life has become a significant and beneficial goal for me.
A Shared Path
This annual ritual has been a valuable tool in my life, and I share it with the hope that it might resonate with you. It's a reminder that we all have the power to shape our lives with intention and empathy. Let's walk into this new year with open hearts, ready to embrace each moment with purpose, always remembering that life is a shared journey of continuous learning and gentle growth.
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