Here we are, December 27th, and all the presents have been shared out and enjoyed. Now, there’s no reason to even get out of pyjamas.  Ahh – perfect!

A little rest does a body good, doesn’t it? I can feel my creativity waking up! I hope you, too, have enjoyed some happy days with people and activities that bring you restoration.

And now, since my mission is to help you bring your own Big Game to the world in 2019 – which works so much better when you are rested and aligned – I’d like to ask you a coaching question:

“How will you avoid getting back on your habitual “hamster wheel” in 2019?”

You can leave it to chance. Or you can intentionally set yourself up for a better-than-ever year! And to help you discover your own approach, I offer you a couple of self-care tools to try this January…

• STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES
• BE FULLY PRESENT 4 TIMES A DAY
• REMEMBER WHAT YOU LOVE
• ENVISION YOUR PERFECT FUTURE
• MAKE A DATE WITH YOURSELF

Which one is for you? Keep reading…

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STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES

Perhaps the most familiar tool is Gratitude. Studies [1] show it can reprogram your brain, for a great year. But we get so busy, and it gets squeezed out, right?

So I’ve created a small, printable Gratitude Journal [2] to keep by your arm chair, in your car or pocket, or by your bed. Spend just a few minutes with it, at the same time each day, for a week.

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BE FULLY PRESENT 4 TIMES A DAY

In coaching class last year, I created a deceptively simple affirmation that turned out to be very helpful to me. Our homework was to put it into a reminder app, and to stop and give it our full attention 4 times a day, when reminded at random intervals.

Still now, when I say “It’s good to be here,” I feel myself settle and breathe, as I look around and notice: Where is “here”? And what’s great about this moment?
Choose a simple affirmation or powerful question to help you be more aware of yourself and your situation – then let your tech [3] surprise you with it, throughout the day. Commit to stop and be present for at least 30 seconds when you’re reminded – or to snooze it until you can give it your attention.

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REMEMBER WHAT YOU LOVE

At the start of my coach education, I was blindsided by an unannounced program deadline, and I had to make a big financial decision in a hurry. I headed back to my hotel room and got out my postits, and in short order my mind was at peace, and my choice was uncomplicated.

What had helped? Getting clear on Core Values. Not my priorities, because those naturally change over time. But “Core Values” are what makes you *you*, and those tend to be stable – though their expression may vary widely throughout your lifetime.

My printable Core Values exercise [4] has 96 values-words that you’ll sort into themes that make you fully alive and brilliant. Grab a nice hot drink, print and cut out the cards, and spend 90 minutes remembering what makes you feel fully alive. Then watch how your decision-making becomes clearer.

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ENVISION YOUR PERFECT FUTURE

You’ll notice that my Aha! moments have come in interactive experiences – classes, guided exercises. Because I procrastinate easily on solo activities, I schedule time with peers or teachers, which I enjoy more.

If you’re like this, too, I invite you to try the Personal Vision exercise I offer interactively, one-on-one, via Zoom call. Just book your call online [5] and show up, ready to be encouraged and surprised, then let me lead the way. I love doing these sessions! It may just be the impulse you need to start 2019 on a more joyful path.

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MAKE A DATE WITH YOURSELF

There’s no trick [6] to this one: just get out your calendar and plan a date for self-care – or multiple dates! Mark it “tentative” if that leaves you feeling more flexible :-)

The key is to make it right for you. Is your restorative time better alone or with a friend? In a quiet library, or in a busy café with your journal? Maybe in your bathtub, with scented oils and an audiobook, or walking in the woods? Pick the activity that makes you feel “aaahhh… yes.” Make it realistic: it’s better short and simple than not at all. And make a commitment to yourself to reschedule, if it gets bumped.

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Dear, colleagues: I encourage you to make 2019 a year to walk the talk of “life long learning” … by learning to be, even more fully, your weird and wonderful self!

And I’d love to hear what happens … so keep in touch with twitter [7] or a short call or email!

I hope you’ve got plans for a lovely “slide” into the New Year, as we say in Germany! Whether it’s with slippers and hot chocolate, or loud music and shouting with friends …

Be well!
Deb

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Notes:

[1]
“When you feel happiness, the central nervous system is affected. And gratitude is the most effective practice for stimulating feelings of happiness.”
Article: Neuroscience Reveals How Gratitude Literally Changes Your Brain to be Happier
https://ideapod.com/neuroscience-reveals-gratitude-literally-changes-brain-happier/

[2]
Deb’s printable Pocket Gratitude Journal:
https://abiggergame.today/giving-thanks/

[3]
Find a Random Reminder app for your device:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=random+reminder+apps

[4]
Deb’s printable Values Exercise – download the pdf at
http://abiggergame.today/values-shift

[5]
Book your Personal Vision session on my online calendar – use the “jump to date” button to take you to my January office hours, starting on Jan 10th. By the way – there’s no cost. Link:
http://abiggergame.today/calendar/

[6]
Ha! Nice try! Now, get out your calendar and book that self-care date with yourself – you and I both know you’re worth it! :-)

[7]
Tweet me, or just ask, if you want to DM:
https://mobile.twitter.com/deborahh