It's that time again. 2013 is coming to an end, you are heading out to celebrate the new year and most likely you are reflecting over 2013 and making up your mind on how it went. Maybe it was great and you are happy and excited to start the new chapter or it was a tough year and you wish that things will be different in 2014. Independent of that, the true question that you need to ask yourself for 2014 is: "By this time next year, who do you want to be and what do you want to have achieved?"
The same feeling that you will have now, the same sense of reflection, the same range of emotions between happiness and regret, you will have again in about 365 days. The only thing that will change between these two moments is a number. 2013 vs. 2014.
When 2013 started, I promised myself to make it the best year of my life. I had just finished a troublesome 2012 and just wanted to hit that huge NYE-reset button. And so I did. I entered 2013 not with resolutions, but with this picture of the person I wanted to be and the things I wanted to have achieved by this time today. I saw myself as someone confident, happy and hopeful. I wanted to look back on 2013 and be able to say I truly didn't miss any opportunity to make it great. Someone who could say he outgrew himself. Fortunately enough, this is exactly the sense I have today looking back.
So after tonight's party and tomorrow's headache. Sit down and make sure you know who you want to be and what you want to have achieved by end of 2014. You have to fill 365 days, 52 weeks (this includes an incredible 52 weekends), 4 quarters and 12 months. You don't have to plan the days, but plan the year (personally, I plan months and quarters).
Ask yourself, what needs to happen in this upcoming year for you to be able to say it was the best of your life so far? And in doing so, set yourself some ambitious goals. What do you want to dedicate yourself to? Think of all the different areas of your life (Health, Work, Social Life, Friendships Non-work Projects, Hobbies, Family, Travel, etc.) and for each area, picture yourself one year down the road. Some examples:
- When I think of my hobbies, 2013 has shown me my creative side. By the end of 2014, I want to have expanded my skills by mastering Photoshop and Graphic Design.
- When I think of my Family, I realize that this is my 5th year living abroad. By the end of 2014, I want to have seen my family at least 5 times!
- When I think of friendships, I feel I have gotten to know some amazing people in 2013. By the end of 2014, I want to make sure I have gained some more amazing friends, but also make sure I don't leave behind my older ones
- When I think of my non-work projects, I'm glad I was able to launch this blog in 2013. By the end of 2014 I want to have written at least 40 posts and gotten people to think more positively in their lives.
- When I think of Travel, I continue to feel excitement to travel the world. By the end of 2014, I want to have attended all the 7 weddings (in 6 different countries) that I have been invited to.
You see where this is going? Picture the person you will be. Picture the things you want to have achieved. This is how I go about starting this new year: full of excitement and a positive outlook, knowing what I need to do to make this an even better year than 2014.
May you all have a wonderful start into your new year.