It is that time of the year again.
Where the presents are perfectly stacked under the beautiful Christmas tree that has the most gorgeous star pointing towards heaven .. wait who I am kidding?
It is that time of the year again where I am running around from Christmas party to Christmas party trying to be present when in reality I have 350 things running through my mind.
Yes, the holiday season where there seems to be more stress every year the older I get.
But, this year has been a little different. One of my goals for 2022 was to intentionally not succumb to the busyness that our culture instills upon us. I would feel pressure during the first few years of our business to do things just to do things. I would check my email 15x per day. I would scroll through social media to see how our posts were doing. I would check our bank account multiple times a day.
So, I made a goal for 2022 to challenge that belief pattern. My goal was to check my email 2x per day. Both bank accounts 1x per day. And to delete social media off of my phone for one month every quarter.
Well, it worked. I created the spiritual and emotional space in my life to be present. To look inward. To start listening to God’s communication. And, the exciting part is – you can too.
With all the stress that comes during this season I hope you can find the time and space to reflect on what has worked, what hasn’t worked, and what you want to improve on for the new year.
I used to create pages of SMART goals under multiple categories with timelines. I then would break those down to quarterly, monthly and weekly goals.
However, over time I realized I am not a robot. I am a human being that has multiple influences that are greater than myself that impact where I want to go and who I want to become.
So, here it is.
Here is my super simple way to set human goals that don’t make you feel like a robot.
I set no more than 2 (okay sometimes 3) goals under each category. As Tony Robbins once said, “Most people overestimate what they’re going to do in a year, and they underestimate what they can do in a decade, or two or three or four.” Dream big but also realize you aren’t a robot.
After I set ~2 goals under each category, I pick 1 day per quarter (in advance) and I reflect on those goals. As one of our business coaches Shawn Dill used to hammer home, it is not about how you start your day, week, or year, it is all about the halftime adjustments.
If this resonates with you, take some time and reflect on each category. Find two measurable goals you can put under each one. Pick one day per quarter you are going to review your progress. Then you are off and running for 2023!
Faith
Family/Friends
Financial
Fitness
Fun
Hope you have a beautiful holiday season and a great start to the New Year!
Dr. Alex Orton, ND
N A T U R O P A T H I C D O C T O R
F O U N D E R & O W N E R