Live on the Bright Side
We’re a couple months into the new year, time to check up on those goals and revisit your intention for 2023.
Identifying priorities in our lives is the first step to living intentionally. In our latest issue, we asked you about what you’re grateful for and what your greatest strengths are. (Find that guided journal here.) Living authentically means—at least in part—finding ways to lean into our strengths and seek out the things we cherish.
Put it Into Action
Here is a follow-up guided journal to help you orient your days around your priorities. Get out a pen and paper and write for at least ten minutes on these questions. If you run out of things to write before your ten minutes is up, let yourself sit with your thoughts and hold space for stillness.
What is something small that you are grateful for, something that fills you up?
Do you encounter it as often as you’d like? If no, how can you prioritize this thing in your life more? List at least three ways.
What is your greatest strength? When did you last use it?
How can you exercise that strength more? List at least three ways.
Now you have three actionable tasks from question 2, and three actionable tasks from question 4. Of these six actions, pick two to prioritize for the next month.
Make a plan
If sunshine was one of your answers to question 1, and going on a walk was one of your answers to question 2, plan how you’re going to make time for your walks. Does this mean waking up earlier? Setting aside time each weekend for a long stroll? Popping outside for a few minutes on your lunch break? Make a realistic plan to help you prioritize the things that make you feel good.
Do the same for your strengths. Exercising our strengths makes us feel empowered and capable. Harness the feel-good energy of authenticity, and make a plan for how you’re going to tap into your authentic, powerful self.
Once the month is up, take inventory of how you feel. Keep what served you, revisit your list to decide on your next month’s priorities, and move authentically through 2023.
The Journaling section of our Fall/Winter ‘23 issue was generously sponsored by Henager Black & Salesky Dentistry. They can help you look on the bright side with family and cosmetic dentistry, dental hygiene, and Botox & Juviderm.