First up, I’m a planner and a recovering perfectionist (details here). I also love stationary and writing things down; almost as much as I love crossing things off my to-do list. I’ve always got an idea and they can “escape” as easily as they come to me. So, all that together, can be a slippery slope called perfectionism that leads to paralysis (couldn’t possibly write in my pretty new planner, etc.).
Right off the top: I am a planner. But I’m also a recovering perfectionist. My planning, to do list, and goal-setting can easily turn into perfectionist tendencies if I’m not super aware and vigilant.
I love a good to do list. I love to cross stuff off that list. It’s so satisfying, right?
Perfectionism has come up several times these past few weeks. (Or is it months? If I’m going to publish this, it should be accurate so which is it? I could sit here for a few minutes and try to remember more accurately, but if I stop writing another idea could pop in my head. Or I could fall down a rabbit hole of Instagram posts while trying to track my conversations on perfectionism and this piece would take months to write, or maybe not get written at all. Forget it. It’s not that important, so what was I saying again? Oh yeah, perfectionism.)
We are now at the half way point of the year, and for lots of people that means mid-year performance review. Or a mid-year check-in. Or just a big ol’ headache. Or a lot of woulda coulda shoulda.
I’ve been meaning to do a book review for The Desire Map for quite some time now. This is my kind of book review since it focuses on what I learned from the book. In my opinion, the best books have big life lessons. And this book delivers BIG lessons.
I read The Desire Map, a book written by Danielle LaPorte, in 2015 shortly after being laid-off. I found it (it found me), right around the same time that I was trying to find myself (again. Or was I trying to re-define myself?)
I don’t do new year’s resolutions. At all. It was liberating a couple years ago when I made that decision.
What do I do instead?
I start by closing the previous year (more on that here). Then I prepare for the new year by dreaming, planning and strategizing. My Core Desired Feelings (CDFs), a Word of the Year, and a Mantra of the Year are my tools.
There are only a few days left in this year – most people I know are cheering.
Are you ready to put the year behind you? Looking forward to starting the near year? I suggest that you use the time between Christmas and January 1 to close the year.
I love September. It’s a great new beginning.
Kids are off to school to start a new grade with a new teacher and in a new classroom. They have new pencils and new notebooks. They are going to make new friends and learn new things.
Maybe you’re reading this because you’re going through a lay off. If so, your life is about to change dramatically and that can be pretty exciting (and scary). You have been presented with an experience. What are you going to do with it? I vote for rockin’ it.
And if you haven’t been laid off, would you like to feel lit up and fulfilled? Keep reading because these tips and lessons are for you too.