It’s hard to believe we are almost at the end of another year. I hope this year has been filled with laughs, 
kindness and new adventures.
If you are like me, there are probably some things you didn’t get to move to your “done list.” And guess what? THAT IS OKAY. Life happens. Sometimes, to get re-energized and focused on our goals, we just need to take a break.
Take a break, it WILL help
Let’s all agree that acknowledging this is a good place to start. Have you ever been thinking of a solution to a problem, slept on it and in the morning woke up with the perfect answer?! Sometimes, time away from projects and deadlines can mentally reset you so you are ready to see the answer. If you have time off between the holidays, take the time to let your brain settle.
But Melissa, how can I possibly take a break?
Let your goal for the rest of 2017 be to knock out what you need to get done so that aforementioned break can actually happen. Because you deserve it, and you need it.
Look back to look forward
Reflect. Insert all the clichés here, but in order to plan where we are going, we should look back on where we have been and what we have accomplished. For some of us, it is the end of the semester, for others, the end of the quarter. No matter where we are, January 1 has become a widespread reset button. Take a look back over the year. What have you accomplished? Who have you met? What times of the year were harder than others. Take notes in your journal and really reflect on this past year. You might find yourself asking valuable questions to think about going into the new year.
Finish strong to start stronger
There have been times where I would think about all the things I had to do, get overwhelmed, and then do none of them. Sometimes, the best project is planning what projects to do and their order. If you have your planner for 2018 already (like I do), starting planning now!
- Write down all the unfinished projects of your year.
- Take a hard and discerning look at what you can realistically finish before 2018.
- Plan out how you will finish those projects.
- For every project that didn’t make the “realistic list” sort it into two piles: pause and cancel.
- Pause: These are projects you want to do but just can’t commit to finishing in the next couple of weeks. Plan them out starting in 2018 and then put them out of your mind for now.
- Cancel: These are projects you lost the passion for. Don’t stress yourself by committing to things you don’t really want to do. Have the courage to say no, so that you can say yes to the important things.
- TAKE A BREAK!
Goals, resolutions, and dreams are wonderful. But they need to be actionable and realistic if they are going to make it to the finish line. Use the rest of this year to re-evaluate before you hit pause on all work and projects. Then take that break, so that you can dive right into 2018.
And if you’re still trying to get a to-do list for when you’re at home, I am going to make one for you so you have no time to fill it up yourself.
- Hang out with at least one person (family or friend) and spend some quality one-on-one time.
- Enjoy a delicious meal.
- Binge watch your favorite show.
- Read a book you have been meaning to pick up.
Happy December!
