“Here’s a new take on an old tradition: try New Year’s themes, instead of resolutions, for a year focused on growth and joy.” ~LMB
I first heard about New Year’s Themes, rather than resolutions, from the life coaching world. A New Year’s theme may be a word or something like “Go for more in 2024”. All themes don’t have to rhyme; they just have to feel right – to you.
A theme will be something you wrap many of your goals around. For example, for your personal life, your theme for 2024 may be health. In this case, you would focus on nutrition, doctor appointments, exercise, yoga, etc., throughout the year. The health theme would help provide a focus for your goals the entire year. Your theme is the container and the goals are the contents.
In general, I recommend coming up with a theme in three areas of your life: relationships, work, and personal. Creating three separate themes further helps with clarity and focus. The health theme may work great in your personal life, however, in your work life it may not be as much of an issue for you.
In addition to creating a theme, it’s important that you break all goals into small chunks. One way I do this is to have a specific focus each month. For example, if your theme for relationships this year is connection, you may want to start by reconnecting with old friends in January. In February the goal may be to finish thank you cards. In March, the focus may be cultivating new friends. You continue this throughout the year, breaking down the larger theme of connection into smaller, bite-size goals each month. This helps to avoid overwhelm and is a great tool for keeping your New Year’s goals in mind the entire year.
As for me, my relationship theme for 2024 is playful. I want to focus on bringing in a lot of laughter, spontaneity and good old-fashioned fun into my marriage and my family. I will also do my best to bring this into my friendships. January, my focus will be laughter…got any good jokes, anyone?
What’s your relationship theme for 2024?
Challenge: This year, if you’ve already made your New Year’s Resolutions, then look them over and see if there’s a theme that ties them all together. If so, write the theme on a blank card and tack it up where you will see it every day. Break it down into monthly chunks and stay focused.
If you have not made your resolutions yet, take some time to decide what your relationship, work and personal themes will be. Break each theme into monthly chunks. Place these themes up where you can see them daily and use them as a compass to create a healthy, prosperous year, filled with much love and joy.
