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3 Steps to Evaluating, Envisioning & Executing A Life

by Kathy L Kirk

As this eventful year of 2009 comes to a close, I find myself reviewing the past year and making many pretend plans for the new one. It is sort of like planning a trip. First I have to understand where I have been; next I have to know where I want to go; and finally I need layout the map to the new experiences that I want to have.

Evaluating

As I sit in contemplation of the past year, naturally I review my worldly accomplishments first, which appeases my ego mind. What did I actually do this year? What did I achieve? Likewise, I consider those things I failed to do or wish that I’d done. These are the “worldly” accomplishments and/or perceived missed opportunities, which any ego would like to call failures or disappointments. I get these all down on paper and sit with them for awhile, adding and subtracting as it feels correct. So I don’t miss anything, I make special categories such as health, finances, career/business, personal relationships, special projects, fun, etc. I take my time and make a special effort to list everything, not just the big things, but the little ones, as well.

Throughout the year I use a day planner where I keep track of all the things I do in a day. So, I cruise through this day planner in review, adding to my review lists. The next step in evaluating the year requires perspective, where I mentally get on a ladder and climb above the actual actions and see my patterns and my overall movements. I try to remember incidents and things that were significant in personal “wins”. Personal “wins” are where you did something well, handled yourself well, changed your mind, and therefore behaved in a higher or better way, thus affecting the physical outcome. Of course there are those personal “oops” moments, too, where I could have done better as well. These are just as important as the wins. Then, I consider what these physical adventures may have taught me or how they brought to light new desires and or ego issues remaining unresolved and therefore, still limiting me. This is where I’d most like to be better in future interactions. Finally I look at the whole thing: physical activities, personal interactions and inner growth and give myself generous amounts of congratulations and hearty pats on the back for all that I did do, both on the inner plane and the outer. This part is most important, because this is the platform from which I will launch my new “trip”. Therefore it will all go much better for me, if I’m supporting, affirming, accepting and approving of myself from the new starting gate.

Envisioning

The past year reveals to me my new desires for what’s next. For this I usually use butcher paper and Sharpe pens of many colors. I tear of a pretty big piece, maybe 5-6’ in length and pin it to a wall. I draw in the categories: health, career, relationships, finances, special projects, fun…you can create your own, of course. Using the what is so for me right now, I launch my new desires for the future. This is unlike “goal setting” as this is a trip using my imagination, colors and anything else on this sheet that helps me and my imagination create an internal experience of already having what I am seeking. The whole process must be FUN. I look at the now situation for each category and feel the new desire rising up from within me. I want to have way more fun this coming year. I want to dance, and see more theatre and make new friends. I want to have new adventures…so I might be drawing a boat, or turning on some music as I do this. The point is that this is my energetic map for my future destination experiences. I do this for each and every category: drawing and mentally conjuring what I want to experience next as if it were already true. When I’m “done”, I step back and look at the map I’ve created and see how it feels. Have I missed something? If so, I add that in.

Executing

With my new map in place, I know where I’m heading in the New Year. I have physical projects on it; I have mental projects on it; I have personal dreams and wishes on it. It is a fluid document, so I can add to it or subtract from it as the year progresses and as I dial in or adjust my dreams and desires. However, this roadmap is where I will come every day in the New Year to dream, feel, imagine and envision my journey. This reminds me of my new intentions and my new desires, which keeps me focused on where I want to go, not where I’ve been or where I am right now. I am reminded by this energetic map that I am a vibrational being, and that 90% of my creations are done energetically by keeping the focus of my Source Energy stayed on what I desire and fixed on what I dream, by how it feels to me to have it right now in my mind’s eye. This is my process, which I offer to you. Some call it a vision board, but I think it is more than that, because it begins with a conscious review of where I’ve been, what I’ve done and requires me to personally and quietly reflect on my life, my inner growth, my performance and incorporate my conscious intentions into my new vision. It’s not all about “stuff”, rather it is about the Quality of my Life journey and how I would like to continue to experience more Quality both within and without. Happy New Year everyone. We had a great 2009. Here’s to our best year yet!

Kathy Kirk was raised in the Midwest, and has lived in MT, NY and CA and currently lives in Ohio. She has a BS degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Cornell University. She is the founder of Applied Spirituality and the author of The Earthling's Quick Start Guide and Well Done both released this year. Her website is http://www.appliedspirituality.com and her blog, A New View, is at http://www.appliedspirituality.com/blog She also blogs for the Cleveland Plain Dealer at http://blog.cleveland.com/newview/ Kathy is a provocative and inspirational speaker and has spoken to such groups as North Island Naval Air Station, Qualcomm, BAE Systems, SPAWARS, Mensa, the US Post Office, Cornell University, Phoenix House and the San Diego County Libraries. She gives Seminars and Workshops to groups and corporations on Applied Spirituality™. Kathy is also available on a limited basis for private coaching. She can be reached at 619-445-0972 or at support@appliedspirituality.com. "Like the moon, we illuminate without scorching."

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