Increase your productivity and happiness this year with this simple practice.

By Hillary Arrieta

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by all the things you need to do for the upcoming year that you don't know where to start? Or have been so excited about a new project, only to burn out in a few months (or weeks?) and throw in the towel?
If this sounds familiar, It's because you're not alone. In this blog post, I'm sharing with you exactly how I start my year on the right foot.
A few years ago, I overdid it...
I was so pumped to get to the next level in my career that I signed up to do everything.
A creative business plan PROJECT ( boy, was it!), Business and financial coaching sessions with not one but TWO coaches, and an even bigger business coaching project with Marie Forleo and her B-School program. What was I thinking?!
My heart was in the right place but I should have known better. Most of the time, in my personal experience more is not better...UNLESS it's chocolate!
My "gung ho" approach totally backfired, and by March I was braindead and tired of anything that had to do with business planning. All I wanted to do was take a nap...and then do what I love, work with my clients and forget about implementing anything I had planned.

You don't have to own a business to get value from my New Year ritual...

Here's what I do differently. I plan to take the first week of January to review my previous year.
I go through it all, my numbers, my experiences, things I felt, new things I learned. I do this and usually find that my year was INCREDIBLE. It's mind-blowing how much we do and experience in just 365 days! Our experiences deserve this time of reflection and honor. This is life!

I make sure to write down (very important) what I accomplished and where I fell short. I see how the steps I took either helped or hindered. Next, I write a note to myself about what I need to let go to be able to move forward in the new year. Frustrations, challenges, and resentments that are holding me back and keeping me from being the human I want to be. For me, all of that has to go. I’ve got stuff to do!

Then I write down everything I'm grateful for and list my personal and career goals. I might go through and edit the list down to a few things that are top priority and write about WHY I want these goals and what my life would be like if I actually accomplished them.
I like to choose a few goals that are easy to complete and write out a schedule to complete them fast - which gives me the motivation to keep going when I see things get completed!

I take another week to research the things I want and need to learn in the new year. Usually, by the fourth quarter of the previous year, I've already decided what direction I'm going so some of this is already in place. Now, It's time to get stuff on the calendar. I schedule things, buy the books, put down deposits on classes, book travel, and get ready to make it happen.  
And then I come up with my wellness plan. A daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal plan on how I’m going to care for myself mentally and physically. This is a plan includes full of action steps to take when I am overwhelmed, anxious, unwell, and generally feeling like things are just not working out.

I know, it sounds like a lot but when I take the time to do this, I feel supported. I feel like I’m committed to moving towards a better future and it gives me a clearer lens to see the meaning of and give reverence to my life.

Now it's your turn! Leave a comment and tell me if  you create a plan to make your future brighter?
And what are some of your personal rituals that make you feel supported?

​I'm wishing you health, wealth, and happiness in the new year!