Reset, Refresh, Renew
HELLO 2023!!!
As we enter a new year, we cannot help but to already start looking forward; visualize a twelve month path laid out in front of you, and you’re standing on day one. Too often, we forget to start where we are, and instead jump out ahead of our present reality. Being proactive by looking ahead and planning is a wonderful behavior to practice regularly, so long as your vision starts where you are presently.
In the interest of honoring our present, we wanted to take this opportunity to facilitate a reset, refresh, and renewal. We will provide this opportunity by reviewing a number of self-development exercises and prompts. It is our sincerest hope that you will write out and execute each exercise on your own. These exercises have been proven time and time again over the years that we have offered them to our clients. They will push you out of your comfort zone, challenge your current perspectives, and realign your overall sense of self and internal compass.
RESET
Too often, we get swept up in the daily hustle and bustle, and allow ourselves to get pulled in a thousand different directions at any given moment. Over time, being stuck in a constant state of give and take will inevitably lead to losing pieces of ourselves. This causes a lack of clarity, confidence, and motivation.
Between external influences, and our own inner conflicts, we are all put into a box everyday; a restrictive, falsely defining, detrimental box. Finding that place that can allow you to block out any external influences, while working on your own internal influences. This exercise is designed to break you out of your confines and open your eyes to the myriad of possibilities in front of you.
Exercise:
This exercise is meant to block out all of the noise of the daily grind and to defy all preconceived notions of what's possible in your life. Approach this exercise somewhere quiet and sacred to you, or some place you consider your escape, to have a safe space to dig deep and challenge your current perspectives.
Directions:
It is time to hit the RESET button. Use a blank piece of paper to dare to dream a dream. Whether you want to take a personal or professional viewpoint, step one is to remove yourself from your challenges. Write out what your life would look like without any variables or obstacles; endless money, endless time, endless confidence…endless opportunities. Use the entire page.
REFRESH
Imposter syndrome is a common side effect of greatness, and is more common the more humble of a person you are. Imposter syndrome can take many forms, but can be loosely defined as doubting your abilities which causes you to feel like a fraud. Because our society embodies a severe lack of support, empathy, and encouragement, high functioning, high achieving people are most susceptible to these moments of self-doubt. We have been conditioned to believe that we cannot achieve greatness without influence, but that’s just not the case. Since the fear behind imposter syndrome is based on how we think others perceive us, this exercise will recalibrate our own perception of how we are truly perceived through real-world feedback.
Exercise:
This exercise is meant to validate your greatness through the recognition and appreciation of your personal and/or professional triumphs. Take your time and really sit with the positive feedback you’ve received throughout your life, and the positive experiences you hold sacred. Revel in your newfound reality of your skills and contributions.
Directions:
For personal imposter syndrome, gather your most treasured memories; pictures, letters, cards, scrapbooks, journals, etc. Use a blank piece of paper to creatively illustrate the positive feedback, memories, and little moments that have filled your heart over the years; a friend describing how much your friendship means to them, a family member telling you how proud they are of you, etc. Write out the words or phrases that validate your greatness in a creative way. Fill the whole page.
For professional imposter syndrome, gather your old evaluations, assets, projects, awards, reviews, and testimonials. Use a blank piece of paper to creatively illustrate the positive feedback, the little moments, and the appreciation you have received over the years; a previous employer singing your praises, a client thanking you for helping them achieve their dreams, etc. Write out the words or phrases that validate your greatness in a creative way. Fill the whole page.
RENEW
Who am I? What’s my purpose in this world? What do I stand for? What’s important to me? The journey of self-discovery is one that lasts a lifetime. There is no shortage of existential questions weighing us down at any given moment. Trying to figure out where to start this journey is just as daunting as it would be to choose the starting point of exploring the entire universe. But the answers are one in the same; start where you are right now.
PART ONE
Exercise:
This exercise is meant to offer that starting point through poignant, high-level self-discovery prompts. They also start at the core of who you are, and work to establish both sides of your spectrum of self to be able to work from the outside in.
Directions:
Start with three blank sheets of paper, and at the top of each sheet, write one of the following three prompt titles at the top of the page. Then follow the prompts to fill out each page respectively.
Core Values:
Write out your five core values. These values should be who you are at your core; integrity, morality, family first, etc. The five most sacred pieces of what makes your foundation. Below each one, write a one sentence explanation of how that value impacts your life.
Absolute Do’s & Don’ts:
Write out up to 10 actions you consider to be completely unforgivable, and 10 actions you consider to be absolutely mandatory. An example of an unforgivable action could be, “being malicious”. An example of an always action could be, “practice empathy”.
Fundamental Truths:
As we grow in life, we all encounter certain fundamental truths that resonate with us. One example of a fundamental truth is, “one cannot love another without first loving themselves”. Write out at least 5 fundamental truths you’ve encountered over the course of your life.
PART TWO
Exercise:
This exercise is meant to start honing in on the best times of your life. The moments of clarity, joy, and peace. When we can recognize those moments, and how we got there, we can start to learn how to replicate them.
Directions:
Answer the following five prompts. Feel free to write as many answers per prompt as you desire. In fact, the more the better!
I am driven by
I feel most fulfilled when
I am happiest when
I feel most centered when
My ideal methods of relaxation are
PART THREE
Exercise:
This exercise is meant to get you thinking about the little things in life that bring you joy. The little things are the small gestures, activities, or results that can make our day. They are also the easiest parts of our days to forget. It is important to recognize and replicate the little things daily so that we may better enjoy each moment.
Direction:
Write out as many little things as you can think of that bring you joy. This can range from getting a haircut, to playing pool, to a clean kitchen. Really go through your days and try to pick out all of those little moments of joy that resonate with you. The more the merrier!!
As you work through each of the exercises we just covered, it is important to approach each one with an open mind and open heart. It is equally important to be brutally honest with yourself. Omitting, or otherwise bending, your truth won’t do you any good, or the exercise any justice. Remember, in life, you get back what you put in. So, if you approach these exercises with anything less than raw truth, you’ll get nothing from them…or worse, falsified results. Be true. Be you.
When you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here for you.
