When I first started my coaching business full-time, the days felt like they were just bleeding into each other since I was working from home. I’m sure you know the feeling after almost a year in quarantine. Raise your hand if you’ve asked, “what day is it today?” at least once during the last 11 months.
A powerful exercise I started to combat that Groundhog Day state of mind was a Monthly Review and Monthly Theme Setting exercise.
At the end of every month, I give it a rating and make a list of five things I’m grateful for and five things I could have done better.
And then, I set a theme for the month ahead. I try to use an alliteration with the month as a mnemonic device but it’s not necessary or always possible. After I create my theme, I come out with a list of priorities for the month. I also look for a quote, affirmation or prayer that will solidify this theme for me. If there are habits aligned with the theme, I make sure to include these in my habit tacker.
There are many benefits to this practice. It helps me feel more intentional about the month ahead. My goals have a clearer and more proactive direction. It helps differentiate each month and shakes up my routine.
If you currently have Volume 3 of The Sunday Night Journal, you’re in luck because this practice has been incorporated into your copies already. If you don’t, no worries, just follow the steps above in your journal or planner or better yet, get your own copy of The Sunday Night Journal. (It’s not too late to start since it’s undated and a (Chinese) New Year is coming up again soon!).
My theme for this month is FALL IN LOVE FEBRUARY.
How about you? What’s coming up for you this month?
Photo by Justin de Jesus and styled by Chichi Tullao.
