Your Best Year

I recently discovered Mel Robbins on Tik Tok. One of her videos came up on my fyp and she was inspiring - so much so that I watched a YouTube video today of her podcast that is over an hour long. In the video she shares the 6 questions that her and her family answer at the end of each year. 

I sat down today and answered those same 6 questions. 

It didn’t put too much new into perspective for me, but only because I’ve been thinking about these things nearly non-stop for months. This is the first time in my life where I’ve truly sat with my thoughts and fleshed out my wants and goals. This is the most planned and prepared I’ve probably been in my entire life.

It’s one thing to have goals. It’s a whole separate thing to break those down piece by piece and figure out why you want what you want. It’s a whole separate thing to turn a goal into a plan and a plan into measurable steps. I’ve always had goals, but I’ve never felt as confident as I do right now and a huge reason for that is my decision to honestly evaluate those goals. 

Another part was looking at my why. I threw out so many goals this year because I didn’t actually have a valid reason for wanting those things. If you think through your why, you’ll start to realize that oftentimes the things you “want” you only want because you feel like you should. It’s so easy to think you should be doing something because everyone else is. Peer pressure and influence is real - even for adults. Social media is a great example of this for me. I don’t care about my follower count. I want to grow my social media for the purpose of marketing my books and editing services. I like to talk and I talk a lot, so platforms that are meant for quick videos are not the best choice for me. This realization shifted my mindset tremendously, which is why in 2024 I’ll focus more on YouTube (longer videos) and less on all other platforms.  

For someone who needs a place to start to have an amazing year I would highly recommend these questions. For me, they were fun but not profound. Like I said, I have been sitting with thoughts of my future plans for months in a way I never have before. This is the part I’d recommend most - spend time with yourself. Don’t underestimate the power of think time.  

The most shocking part of this exercise for me was the very first question. Mel recommended going back through your camera roll to jog your memory and boy was she right! I forgot SO MUCH of what happened in 2023 that it was mind blowing to be reminded of all of the amazing things I did this year. I’m sure there are still things I forgot. I’m excited to take even more pictures and videos this year and do this exercise again come December.  

If you want to fill out these questions, Mel offers a free, downloadable workbook at: https://www.melrobbins.com/bestyear  

Here’s to having your best year! 

1. What are the highlights of the last year of your life? (2023) I made a video showcasing these moments that you can see on my Facebook and Instagram.
   I started taking daily walks outside with my kids. 
   We did a lot of cool homeschool things. Kiwi boxes, Eureka Museum, Music class, Bananas day, seeing the huge turkey, etc.
   We got Trigger.
   My last baby turned one.
   My son and I cooked and baked a lot.
   Licah turned 5.
   We attended the hunting expo.
   We had an amazing time at Fuddruckers in Salt Lake. 
   We went to the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Utah.
   We put new gutters on the house, a new roof, and painted the outside.
   I took my daughter to work and never had to put her in daycare.
   I got my T-Rex tattoo.
   Our ducks got to swim in our pond temporarily.
   We rode the RZR.
   We had a fun Easter with friends and Colorado family.
   Licah played T-ball.
   We randomly attended the Palisade Bee Festival.
   Revic had a lot of wonderful days with Hercules.
   We took trips to Arizona.
   We stayed at a resort with Alexys.
   Booth turned 9.
   We went to the JUCO World Series game.
   Licah and Dad got to ride the Jet Boat.
   We started Black Mountain Waste.
   We took out our boat.
   We went to the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park in Vernal, Utah.
   We watched Daddy spot at W.E.Rock.
   I hiked Rifle Falls with my kids.
   We got a dump trailer.
   We scouted and tent camped in Pahvant, Utah for Russell’s elk hunt.
   I bought a signed copy of The Will as well as a lot of other beautiful books. 
   Russell and I won in the De Beque mud runs.
   We went to Jurassic Live.
   Licah started soccer.
   I started book editing.
   I started buying myself flowers.
   We visited a pumpkin patch and had a pumpkin carving party with friends.
   We watched the Air Show.
   My mom and Nana came for a visit.
   We had a fun Halloween.
   My first deer hunt.
   Russell’s Pahvant elk hunt.
   We processed Russell’s elk at home.
   We spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in Arizona.
   Stephanie, Alexys, and I started a book club.
   Licah was in two light parades and had a blast.
   We got to spend a month with Beretta.
   I started cooking/baking a lot more.
   We visited my Papa and Granny Crotts.

2. What were the hardest aspects of the past year? (Health/Wellness, Career/Money, Relationships, Fun/Happiness, Purpose)
   Moose died.
   Hercules got sick and died.
   Revic got teeth surgery.
   I didn’t write very much.
   Russell worked away from home.
   I stopped working at the animal shelter and am not happy with the way that ended.

3. What did you learn about yourself over the past year?
   I get easily distracted - way more than I ever realized before. This prevents me from finishing a lot of daily tasks and larger goals/projects.
   I have people in my life who deserve more effort from me.
   I have people in my life who deserve less or no effort from me.
   It’s okay to move on - just keep moving.

4. What are the things you are going to stop doing in the next year of your life?
   I’m going to stop making excuses and just do the things I need/want to do.
   I’m going to stop floating through the days and plan them out instead - be intentional.

5. What are the things you will continue doing in the next year of your life?
   I will continue to homeschool.
   I will continue to take daily walks with my kids and with Stephanie. 
   I will continue to write, publish, and edit. 
   I will continue to travel as much as possible.

6. What do you want to start doing in the next year of your life?
   I want to start sticking to a daily routine.
   I want to start working out regularly and eating healthier.
   I want to start putting in more effort toward the people who consistently put effort into me.