New Year's Resolutions Often Fail. Try This Instead.

I’ve never been a huge fan of New Year’s Resolutions. It was my belief that if I really wanted to make a change, I would do it no matter what time of year. Even so, the turning of the calendar holds a lot of symbolism as we reflect on who we are, where we are in life, and what our hopes are for the coming year. And while I don’t love New Year’s resolutions, I do love writing out intentions for the future and looking back at what visions have come to life as a result. If you’re looking to take advantage of the transformative energy that comes with this time of year, I have a practice you can do for yourself that makes use of the power of your subconscious in channeling forward momentum in your life.

In business, it’s helpful to write a vision each year for the upcoming year, and another vision for three years out. A company can establish its goals, projected income and expenses, and modify its mission statement so that it is in alignment with updated values and ideal outcomes. I do this for my own business, but also for my personal life.

Like hypnosis, writing gives us access to the subconscious mind.

If you’ve ever journaled, composed a song, or written a poem, you may be familiar with the feeling of discovering something that deep down you already knew, because writing helps us to articulate feelings. Not only does this communion with our subconscious feel good, it also plants seeds that often bloom later down the road without much conscious thought. For example, when I was a professional musician, I wrote a heart-wrenching break-up song that seemed to come from out of nowhere. To my surprise, I ended a long-term relationship shortly after. My subconscious knew something I did not yet consciously recognize, but articulating it through writing brought it to life.

Writing Exercise for Your Vision of Your Future:

You’re going to write this as though it is the last day of the upcoming year. For this year, you would write this vision as if it is December 31st, 2024. Write in first-person and state everything that you’d like to create as though you have already created it. It can be whatever length that feels right for you. I tend to write 5-6 paragraphs. Here are some examples of what you might include:

I have struck the perfect balance between work and home life, allowing for productivity that makes me feel fulfilled while creating harmonious relationships with friends and family.

I’ve moved into a new home where I feel relaxed and safe, with a beautiful view out my bedroom window, and walking distance from coffee shops and restaurants that I frequently enjoy.

I spent 2 weeks traveling through Europe, visiting Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, and London, enjoying museums, delicious foods, and hunting for special souvenirs that I couldn’t find back home.

I’m in a relationship that is loving, empowering, and fun. I feel uplifted and supported in all areas of my life in this partnership.

I’ve increased my fitness by training for and completing a half-marathon, and enjoy the feelings of strength, energy, and mental sharpness that come from a sustained exercise routine.

Just as we do in hypnosis, use descriptions that make use of your 5 senses and emotions. Painting a detailed description in this way gives the subconscious a refined model of your ideal outcome.

I also recommend including SMART goals wherever you can. Here are the guidelines for SMART goals:

S: Specific (make your goal well-defined)

M: Measurable (a SMART goal has specific criteria for measuring success)

A: Achievable (set a goal that is realistic with your skills, resources, and timeline)

R: Relevant (set a goal that supports your big-picture visions)

T: Time Sensitive (in this case, the timeline is built-in as December 31st, 2024)

Here is an example excerpt for an end-of-the-year vision:

It is December 31st, 2024, and this year has been full of growth professionally and personally. I have secured a new position as a marketing director for a well-known music manufacturing company and am earning $80k/year plus benefits. I work alongside people who motivate me and challenge me, and have attended the NAMM and EAS conferences which are relevant to my industry, expanding my professional network. I am excited to go to work each day and feel fulfilled by the projects under my care.

I spent a week over the summer traveling to the Gulf of Mexico with family enjoying the warm water, soft, white sand, and delicious seafood while looking out over the setting sun over the coastline.

Etc…

Consider writing your 2024 vision and rereading it occasionally throughout the year. And if you’d like to reinforce your vision with hypnotherapy, you know where to find me!