7 Questions for Social Sector Professionals to Start the New Year off Right
If you’re like most professionals I know in the social sector, you’re deeply committed to your work and making difference in the world. You also love what you do (and you’re good at it) BUT you probably rarely take time for yourself to reflect on your purpose, goals, and priorities. The good news is that even though the New Year has already come and gone, it's not too late to get on track for 2018.
With that in mind, I’m sharing a few simple questions I’ve used for a number of years to review where I’ve been (personally and professionally), preview where I want to go, and become centered in my life’s purpose. The questions come from my 2018 Life Planning & Goal Setting Guide. I’ve tried many different processes over the years, so this guide represents my best and most concise thinking on the topic.
How can I be of service to those in my life in 2018?
What are the top two goals I want to achieve in my personal and professional life in 2018?
What will I say YES to in 2018?
What will I say NO to in 2018?
How will I play and have fun in 2018?
How will I seek support in creating the life I desire in 2018?
What word, phrase, or theme best describes the experience I will have in 2018?
Reflecting on and answering these questions are an important part of an annual and quarterly ritual I conduct to find the right balance between my professional work and my personal life. Having this routine also helps me remember what’s really important, especially when things inevitably get tough or I feel myself getting distracted by everyday life.
The truth is that the emails will never stop. Your work will never slow down enough for you to catch up. And there will never be a perfect time to take time for you and your family. But as you start 2018, I hope you intentionally make time to reflect on what really matters and make that a priority in 2018.
Here's my highest intention and vision for you in 2018 and beyond:
May you discover your life’s purpose and calling AND start living it from here on out.
May you have the courage to make hard decisions and keep moving, even in the face of fear.
May you always be at the top of your to-do list.
May you break free from digital distractions and being over-committed to things that aren’t aligned with the life you want.
May you find balance in your work AND personal life.
May you master the art of getting up when life knocks you down.
May you always choose the people who choose you.
May you never be too busy to play, have fun, and enjoy the things that matter most.
May you be happiness, wholeness, wellness, and freedom from all suffering.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by how to take advantage of the fresh start the New Year affords us, start by answering these seven simple questions.
Meico Marquette Whitlock is the founder and CEO of Mindful Techie, an organization that teaches professionals like you how to conquer digital distraction, news and information overload, and work-life balance so that you live a balanced and productive life. Learn more about living a balanced life in a digital world at mindfultechie.com.
This post was originally published on Mark Slezak's Social Sector Titan blog. Mark is a writer and strategist for the Social Sectors. While serving as an international disaster response professional, he started Social Sector Titan in 2017 to share his journey of learning and implementing personal high-performance techniques for the Social Sector context. His work explores Stoicism, special forces mindsets, entrepreneurial startup approaches and personal experiments. Learn more at Social Sector Titan.