“Life must be lived forward, but it can only be understood backwards.” – Soren Kierkegaard
Last summer was packed with the best ‘stuff’ of life:
10-days in Florida with my family.
Countless nights at home.
Family dinners.
Evening swims.
Ice-cream cones.
Having this summer was a big goal of mine in 2016.
In order to accomplish it – or simply be home for it – I had to significantly slow my work and travel schedule during summer. To have the luxury of doing this, I had to spend the preceding months launching my On Fire book, planning for my Live Inspired Podcast and surrounding myself with an amazing team to help me deliver consistent inspiration via events, Monday Motivation blog newsletters, vlogs and #AskJohn articles on Parade. Now, let’s bring this back to you.
Have you set any goals, resolutions or plans for 2017? If so, did you account for this truth: “Life must be lived forward, but it can only be understood backwards.”
The above recap of my idyllic 2016 summer is how I began planning for 2017. Looking back is a critical step. When we do, we’re reminded of what we’ve accomplished, where we’ve fallen short and most importantly, who and whatreally mattered.
I learned this truth 10 years ago while reading Your Best Year Yet. This book asks (and expects you to answer) 10 simple questions. After: You have a 1-page, personal plan to live your best year yet. The first question asked is an invitation to look backward and take stock of the year that just passed.
My friends, today we find ourselves in the 3rd week of 2017. Most of the professional, relational and personal commitments we’ve made have been swallowed up by old habits or lost to a lack of clarity.
But it’s not too late. Would you like to set a goal that you can achieve by December? Or, if you are one of the dedicated few who are still on pace: Would you like a plan to keep your momentum?
It was such an honor to invite the author of Your Best Year Yet to join me on the Live Inspired Podcast. We walked through her 10-questions one by one and I am so thrilled to be able to share this guided tour of a plan that changed my life and my business, with you today. (Listen to the Live Inspired Podcast Ep. #012 with Jinny here.)
My friends, you can absolutely choose to hit the snooze button on your life and repeat old habits. But today I challenge you to wake up, hit reset and make this your best year yet.
Today is your day. Live Inspired.
This article was originally published on #1 National Bestselling Author of ON FIRE and Inspirational Speaker John O’Leary’s Monday Motivation blog. John inspires the R.L. Thomas Service, Inc. and we’re honored to share his inspiration with you! Get his Monday Motivation in your inbox here and enjoy his daily inspiration on Facebook, Twitter & YouTube.
You can see all of John’s Monday Motivation posts here: http://johnolearyinspires.com/tag/blog/