5 Simple Steps to Reflect and Reset Infused with Fun, Inspiration and Intention

By Erika Fehrenbach Prell

Ahhh...the end of one year and the beginning of another. A fresh start, a new outlook, motivation to do All. The. Things. Make those resolutions, set those goals...Get It Done!!  

I love the enthusiasm, really, I do. But…(you knew there was a but coming, right?) I’m not here to burst your bubble, but we like to keep it real here at SoulShine Life Connections. Fun, inspiring, but also real. So, I’d like to offer a little perspective, perhaps even a mindset shift, to take with you as you start preparing for your resolutions and goals for 2021 because, above all else, we want you to be successful in your journey to your very best life!

There’s a piece that is often missing in all this resolution setting and goal planning...and that’s to reflect BEFORE you reset. I get it...you might be like, girl, I already know I didn’t hit my health or financial or career goals. Why do I need to go there?!? Have you ever heard the phrase that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again but expecting the same results”? I’m at fault here, too, DreamChaser, thinking that I failed at something was because I didn’t try hard enough or stick with it long enough or have enough motivation when the real issue might be that the approach was wrong. That, my friends, is why you need to reflect first before you reset...so you LEARN from your missteps before you try again. By doing this, you will approach the situation differently, thereby getting a different result! EUREKA!

Excited?!? I thought so! Stay with me a minute longer; let’s go through a fun way to reflect. A way that might just lead to some interesting insights on where you need to focus your reset! Ready? Here we go….

Step 1: F-U-N with a Capital F!
Make a list (yes, literally write this down or use the memo function on your phone) of everything you do in your life that you think is fun or enjoyable. Anything that comes to mind...do not worry about what other people might think, you are the only person that will see this! Here are some things to spark your thinking:

• Who do you have fun with? Friends, your kids, neighbor...
  
• What do you find fun to do? Craft, volunteer, shop, read, travel, exercise...
  
• Where are places that you find fun? Your sunroom, a walking path, outside, the beach...
  
• When do you have fun? Perhaps a certain time of day or season of the year...
  

The possibilities are only limited by your imagination...or maybe recollection...lol.

Step 2: Bring on the Inspiration!
One more brainstorm sesh...what inspires you? This goes a little bit deeper. We are all inspired by something or many things. Another word for inspiration could be motivation...that thing that sparks creativity or action or excitement to do something. What IS that? It could be many things, too! Try out these questions for inspiration sparking:

• Who inspires you? A teacher, friend, mentor, pastor, author, motivational speaker…
  
• What inspires you? Books, podcasts, blogs, a sunset or sunrise…
  
• Where do you find inspiration? A place in your house, the woods, a conference…
  
• When do you feel inspired? After reading a quote, when you first wake up…
  

There are no right or wrong answers! Come back to both your fun and inspiration lists as more things come to you!

Step 3: Reality Check
You’ve made 2 awesome lists...one of all the things you find fun and one of your sources of inspiration. Now, let’s check in with real life. What do you do on the daily? How often do these things on your fun or inspiring list land in your everyday life?

Step 4: Reset Time
If the things that are on your fun and inspiring lists are not making it into your daily, it is time to reset and adjust accordingly! You are in control of how your day unfolds, whether you choose to spend it doing fun and inspiring things or not. Should every day be fun and inspiring? YES! Should mundane, boring, everyday things like laundry or dishes be fun? YES! Should your career be fun and inspiring? YES! I get it...not everything is fun and inspiring, unless you intentionally infuse it with fun and inspiration. That is 100% possible! I challenge you to find a way to bring the fun and inspiration list into your EVERYDAY life. This is an intentional action but guess what? It will put you smack dab on the path to living your best, fun, and most inspired life...and that’s what it’s all about, DreamChaser. 

What does this have to do with goals and dreams and New Year’s resolutions? So glad you asked! Infusing your day with fun and inspiration led by intentional actions makes goal-getting and dreamchasing...drumroll...fun and inspiring! Which leads to more goal-getting and dreamchasing...what an AWESOME CYCLE!!!!! This simple and fun reflect and reset exercise can be, and should be, done frequently.

BONUS STEP 5: 
Really want a leg up on 2021 AND living your very best life? Look at your fun and inspiration lists. Where do they overlap? For instance, I find helping people both fun and inspiring. Know what lies in the overlap of fun and inspiration? Your purpose. That wasn’t so hard to find afterall, was it, DreamChaser?

Shine on!

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