The Year Ahead
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. - Goethe (sort of)
At the end of 2009 I conducted an annual review. (Thanks, Chris, for the thorough guide.) It was astonishing. I sat with what went well and what didn't in 2009. I took the time to mull my weaknesses (doctor visit, managing inbox, planning) - and consider my strengths (yoga instructing, site redesign, interviews). As they are now. Not as they were five years ago.
Because I was concurrently reading Gretchen's book I created my own Happiness Commandments while I was at it.
What follows is a glance into my year ahead. And my commandments. These are in-process and I bring a spirit of mindfulness to them each day. They're meant as a guide.
1. Be Gwen (remember your true nature)
2. Extend kindness in all directions
3. Return to the breath
4. Lengthen the spine
5. Cultivate an atmosphere of growth
6. Channel Coco
8. Sit with it
9. Help others succeed
10.Be light (it's easier to be heavy)
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Year in Travel/Life List (2010 first quarter)
January Costa Rica trip, Joel starts with new company, Launch new site
February LA photo shoot, Hawaii wedding, Houston speaking engagement
March Florida, Disney Tiarathon (Half Marathon)
April Germany (#lifelist to be confirmed)
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Thank you for letting me share. Have you considered making your own personal commandments? If so, please share in the comments.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Reader Comments (16)
If you need anything planning your trip to Germany, I'd be glad to help. Just give me a shout. We are in Hamburg, up north, not too far from Berlin.
Gwen, you inspire as always.
hi gwen,
same offer as christiane really, only that i`m in berlin.so if oyu need anything,you can contact me.
best from berlin,anja
I did Chris' annual review this year as well, and it was so successful that I will continue doing it on a yearly basis moving forward. I posted my 2010 goals on my blog and am excited about what the new year will bring. I basically started with my life list and then wrote down what I wanted to accomplish this year that would get me closer to those goals.
(I discovered his review last summer and actually sat down then and did a mini-review. It's powerful stuff. It's amazing what you can do in such a short period of time when there is intention behind your actions.)
I like your list. Especially number 10.
These goals are inspired by your post about making a personal manifesto and also by Lisa Sonora Beam, who gave me the idea to make it into a colorful, textured collage-like book.
1) Be & Feel Strong & Lithe
2) Be more present and at peace.
3) Feed my brain and my body well.
4) Rejuvinate my professional self.
5) Publish more often and in more places.
6) Be a creative and patient mom.
7) Pay attention to the couple I'm in.
8) Take advantage of the city I live in!
9) Do more tangible, visible good in the world.
10) Make more music.
For each one I have a few measurable steps, that seems key to get to action. I tried, though, to keep it as simple and clean as I could, so I'm more likely to actually do it. We'll see how it goes. For now, I'm just going to begin</I> and hope for the boldness, magic and power that Goethe promises.
Thanks for your inspiration, both process and style.
i just finished Gretchen's book last night, and while i was reading it i wrote out my own personal list of commandments that i'll be sharing to my blog this week (wednesday, i think) - such a great book, and i can imagine that coupling it with Chris' annual review would be year-altering for sure!
love your commandments. i recently finished Gretchen's book and have been working on my own. my first one is the same as yours. well, not be GWEN, but MARILYN. it sounds like such a simple, obvious thing...to just be ourselves. but, MAN, it can be hard. looking forward to seeing where this year will take you. pl.s. the new head shot on Facebook? gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing - I will be doing an annual review myself today or tomorrow :)
Actually, I'm in Germany right now! I'm in Cologne, which is nice, but loved my time in Berlin the most during my week here in Germany. I think Hamburg is the city I'd most like to visit next here.
Hoping maybe you'll have more time when in Houston next to say hi. Again, you are welcome to stay in my guest room any time if you need to!
Gwen,
What kind of organizer do you have pictured there?
Kirsten It's a hacked version of this. I bought some Avery tabs and will switch them out as I progress to the next three months. I prefer the project version to the daily version because each day emerges as it will - and I use my digital calendar to mark the daily progress anyway.
Gwen,
It's so simple, and yet...so "not always easy". I'm reading this list, which is great, and reflecting specifically on your #1 - Be Gwen (or, in my case - Be Lance). Simple...who else can we be, but ourselves? And yet, not so simple - with the thoughts that bounce around in our heads (and hearts) about what others will think, or does this seem weird, or why am I not normal, or whatever else we want to call it. So, I completely love that this is both on your list, and right up there at the top. And I commit, myself, to that as well (well...except I'll Be Lance...).
Love this, and the whole message behind it - of living the life we desire...
Ohhhh i love it! The world definitely needs more "Be Gwen". Nothin' beats that!
Mine?
1. Hestiate Never. Start Now.
2. Love Unapologetically!
3. Believe in the IMpossible.
2010 really is gonna be amazing! I'm so stoked to watch you soar, Beautiful!
Lengthen the spine. Love that.
Take me to Costa Ricaaaaaa. I'll be your srsly Spanish guide. :)