For years, I had dreams of starting January with perfection… a crystal clear vision, goals dialed in, and hitting the ground running with fresh energy, a tidy home and an unencumbered “to do list”… all ready to go on January 1st. Ha!!!
If you’ve already got all this in place, I applaud you. That’s not me.
As much as I love the fantasy of these ideals magically syncing up to ignite my new year, it has never happened for me. Let me peel back the curtain.
Perhaps like you, December is filled with fun holiday activities, gift buying & sending, time off, kids out of school, and sometimes travel. Self-care routines get interrupted or ignored. By the time January kicks in and the kids get back to school, my tolerations list is overflowing. Decorations to take down, lingering presents to mail, thank you’s to send, and returns to make all weigh on me until complete. By then, I’m pooped and ready to do absolutely nothing. LOL!
I call it the “January hangover.” LOL!
It’s not too late to claim your best year ever.
I’m also committed to “End of Year Completion Rituals,” and goal setting activities. These are essential. I often get started in December (as I did this year), but… at least for me… not completely solidified until sometime in January, and some years… it’s February!
So, if you’re not feeling 100% about having your focus dialed in, you’re not alone. We all need to generously dish out compassion to ourselves.
AND, let’s also NOT wait for another 365 days to stop and get clear about our heart’s desires. I’ve got you covered today with a power-packed issue.
Don’t leave your year to chance. Give yourself permission to get clear about your most important goals.
New Year Rituals for you.
Even with the “January Hangover” thing, this truly is one of my favorite times of year. I love wiping the slate clean, and setting fresh and inspiring goals. I bet you do too, right?
The years I’m most proud of, are the ones I invested time in clarifying desires, goals and got energetically aligned with them. Even if it took me until February or so to get things dialed in.
Here are my “go to’s” for new year creation. They’ve fueled my very best years, and can super charge your 2021 too.
As I cover each of the five related processes below, you’ll quickly see this isn’t just about clarifying new year goals and vision. It’s about allowing yourself to get energetically aligned with them. That emotional alignment is what makes the difference in transforming an intention into reality. It’s the secret sauce.
Each of us is wired differently, so find the visioning strategy that works best for you. Some love to write goals, others avoid the process. Some love details, while others are thrive with just the big picture. Some love visualizations, and yet others do best articulating their dreams with words.
Regardless, decide right now, this year is going to be extraordinary. It’s going to be your “best year yet!”
The secret sauce is “energetic and emotional alignment.”
The most important element in crystallizing your vision is finding a medium that allows you to connect “emotionally” to your vision. If we only name goals intellectually, we’ll likely find ourselves disassociated and not truly inspired to achieve them. Been there, done that. How about you?
The juice, inspiration and magic unfolds when we are “emotionally engaged” with our visions. If you’ve set goals in the past with disappointing results, this may be the missing link. Being able to see, hear, feel and fully associate with what you DESIRE most, is the KEY to magnetizing it to you.
If you desire an amazing relationship, how would you FEEL if that partner was already in your life? How would you treat them? What activities would you enjoy together?
If you desire a thriving business, what activities would fill up your day? Who would you spend time with? How confident and decisive would you be?
If you desire a fit and trim body, can you imagine yourself eating healthy foods and looking forward to visiting the gym? What would it feel like to be 15 pounds lighter?
Energetically Engaging with your Vision #1 Treasure Mapping
1. Treasure Mapping (or Vision Boarding). Creating a collage is an excellent way to engage the senses. This process involves finding pictures and words that capture your vision or visions.
Magazines are great resources since advertising is designed to engage us emotionally. A picture says a thousand words… and elicits at least a dozen emotions. A picture of a man and woman holding hands at the beach may embody feelings of romance, magic, love, connection, and fulfillment. What body type are you striving for? Where would you like to travel? What kind of home would you like to live in?
Find the pictures that resonate with you. Look for words to embody. These will support you in achieving your goals – in business and personally – What do you want more of? “Integrity”, “confidence”, “creativity”, “value” or one of my favorites “joy”?
Create your own visuals when necessary with personal photos or Photoshop.
In 2004, I created an awesome treasure map, and I was astounded when nearly EVERYTHING on the poster became my reality, almost effortlessly. If you’ve been with me for awhile, you may remember this story.
I “made-up” the concept of “Conversations with the Masters” that January…and ended up interviewing three of favorite best-selling authors I had cut out pictures of – Byron Katie, Dr. David Hawkins, and Wayne Dyer.
I also had a picture of me and a wedding dress. And yep, sure enough, I met my now husband in July of 2004.
I also created a mock book cover, and something shifted in me when I saw “by Mary Allen” on the cover. It was August 2004 when all the pieces came together to get my first book published! My book cover even ended up being a “water droplet” image, similar to what was on the board.
I also cut out an Oprah Magazine cover and created a headline and put my picture on it. In August, I was noting all that I was manifesting and thought, “I wonder how this is going to happen (meaning Oprah).” About three days later, I received a call from The Oprah Winfrey Show.
I’ve done several Treasure Maps since then… but this one is by far the best example because I ultimately allowed myself to energetically connect with each and every image by keeping it in front of me all year while I was coaching clients.
Another year, I did a “Vision Board” exclusively focused on “having a baby” — funny enough, the pictures even look a lot like my Shanti and Riser.
“Treasure maps” (aka “vision boards) are a fun, creative way to energetically connect with your vision. The visual creates an emotional connection that creates magic. Doing this with a group is also inspiring.
Vision Boarding 2021
On Monday, two friends and their daughters came over to do Vision Boards with me and my kids. It’s always more fun with friends, and I wanted to give me kids the experience of creating their own “dream board.”
As inspiration flow, I also noticed myself “censoring” some of my desires. You know that uncomfortable feeling of “asking for too much?” I wanted to be “realistic.” And I certainly didn’t want to feel like a failure if my desire didn’t manifest in 2021. Ugh!!!
Unconsciously resisting our biggest dreams is not helpful.
I wasn’t worried about that AT ALL in 2004. I just kept allowing myself to energetically align with my heart’s desire, not knowing how it would manifest.
We don’t have to have the “how” all figured out. Start with the “what.”
Here’s full permission to “go for” what you want 100%.
#2 The Written Word
2. The Written Word – From listing out 10 to 100 Goals in bullet format, to describing your vision in a paragraph with lots of juicy details…the written word is highly effective at allowing us to energetically align. WRITE IT DOWN.
Don’t underestimate the power of giving your vision life on paper. The more you describe it in detail, the more REAL and associated it becomes in our nervous systems. The secret is finding the language to elicit the emotions in YOU.
I’m a big fan of writing down my top 25 goals each year. I like a combination of big and smaller goals prioritized in order of importance. It’s a simple one-pager to refer to throughout the year.
I also challenge my clients to write a “yearlong vision” articulating their most important goals as if it had already happened, writing in past tense. Include descriptors of the end result, including how you and others felt. It can be helpful to describe the process in which you achieved the goal. What resources did you access? What steps did you take? Was it easy or difficult? Again, what feelings & emotions are present? I go into this in greater depth on my “Creating Your Yearlong Vision” and “New Year Creation” audios in my Secrets to Profound Peace and Soaring Success program, and also something I cover in my group coaching programs.
Example: It’s January 22, 2022 and I’m reflecting back on this past year with deep gratitude and joy beaming from every cell of my being. I love my life more than ever, and trust the Divine guidance moving through me in each moment. I feel a profound sense of peace and joy in the present moment, yet simultaneously pulled into inspired and purposeful action almost effortlessly. A powerful presence has emerged more grounded than ever, and it has deepened my connection with my amazing children, husband, clients, friends, family and community. I have plenty of time for all aspects of my life… writing, clients, creative projects, self-care, working out, yoga, quality time with kids, cherished relationships, reading and sleep. My mindset is strong and clear. I’m happier, more joyful and alive than ever!
#3 Visualization
3. Visualization. Another powerful strategy is using the power of your mind to cultivate and embody your vision. Again, the more detail and emotion you can FEEL and bring to life in your body, the more effective it is in eliciting the inspiration, creativity, and action necessary to fulfill your goal or dream. Clarify and identify the end result and associated feelings and emotions through any of these exercises is useful preparation, and well worth the initial time investment. Spending even a few minutes each day to expand and FEEL your vision being realized is potent.
To help you with this process I recommend Shakti Gawain’s book “Creative Visualization.”
If you missed my “Conversations with the Masters” interview with Shakti, you can access it here.
#4 Claim your theme.
4. Claim your theme. Embracing a theme serves as an over-arching, guiding compass for the year. Your theme will likely encompass many of your goals, but maybe not all of them.
In 2011 my theme was SPACIOUSNESS…and indeed, my schedule opened up allowing more time for relaxation and we moved into a home with more space!
In 2012 my theme was TRUST. Trusting my intuition and inner guidance. Trusting my body to communicate its needs, and me to respond! Trusting into Divine synchronicity, being connected to the right people at the right time. Trusting the abundance of the Universe. And trusting my body could carry & deliver healthy twins.
In 2013 my theme was BALANCE, as I continued to find ways to be fully present with my babies, work, self-care, friends, family, and husband.
This year, my theme is BOLD. After being cooped up most of the year, I’m ready for adventure with my family, trying new things like camping, hiking new trails and visiting anything NEW. I’m tired of living in the comfort zone of my self made “box” and ready to push the edges of possibility… personally and professionally. BOLD captures my desire to live outside the box in 2021.
In my group coaching programs, I’ve seen clients embrace a variety of themes. Joy, Gratitude, Abundance, Extreme Self-Care and others. One client selected “The Year of the Donkey” to represent his commitment to losing weight, so he’d be below the 200-pound mark, and eligible to ride a donkey into the Grand Canyon.
What do you feel energy and excitement around? What engages your imagination and feels compelling? What theme would serve as your best-guiding compass for the year?
#5 New Year Creation Questions
5. New Year Creation Questions. Years ago, my first coach, gave me a unique set of questions to help create the new year by engaging the senses in a non-traditional way. Who said goal-setting needs to be a linear process? Use one or more of the questions below to stimulate your own thinking.
- If your vision were a piece of music, what piece would it be?
- If your vision was from nature what would it be? (Tree, ocean, brook..)What does it taste like?
- What does it smell like?
- What other senses can you use to develop your vision?
- What if your vision was a thousand times bigger? Describe what it would be.
- Use a metaphor to describe your vision.
- Are you forcing anything?
- Where can you ease off?
- What can you take less seriously?
- Are there any old rules you are holding on to?
- What can you eliminate?
- How would a six-year-old describe your vision?
- Ask yourself some “what if” questions. What if I ______? (positive what if’s!)
- Add one outrageous or wacky element to your vision.
Which processes resonate with you?
If you’re just starting to think about your goals, all of these processes may feel overwhelming. Don’t let it. Start with one strategy, and if you’re inspired to more, then go for it. Each process engages the senses in a unique way, but it’s not necessary to do them all.
There are really just two key steps.
1. Take time to clarify and refine your goals and vision.
2. Fully associate emotionally and energetically with that vision.
If you do these two things, you’re on your way to momentum throughout the year.
And, if you’re hankering to live into your best year ever, then you’ll want to super-charge your vision with one or more of the processes above.
Then, you’ll want to reconnect with your treasure maps, written goals, visions, and themes – CONSISTENTLY. That means monthly, weekly or even daily. The more often you connect to your vision emotionally and energetically, engaging your senses, the more quickly you’ll find it part of your reality.
I hope you found this power-packed issue valuable and are inspired to get clear and connected to your heart’s desires.
And please know I’m here to help. Email me at mary@lifecoachmary.com if you want coaching support in kickstarting your year.
Looking forward to cheering you on throughout the year.
Let’s make 2021 spectacular!
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