How To Set Your Vision For 2020

No matter where you are in the world, whether it’s enjoying the sunshine of summer, or a frosty white winter, the holiday period brings with it a chance to spend time with the ones you love and do the things you enjoy. It’s also prime time for reflection and goal-setting. 

Every year, I start with the same moment of reflection. I look back at where my journey began and how I fell in love with fitness. Then I reflect on the year that was and the milestones I have celebrated and goals I have accomplished, before turning my attention to the year ahead. 

As a busy mum, business owner, wife and trainer, it can be tough to find time to do this during the year, so ensuring I take a moment for myself come holiday season is super important — and you should do it, too. 

So as we begin to wave goodbye to 2019 and beckon the start of a new year, let’s chat about how to make 2020 your best year yet. 

Slow down, reflect and celebrate 

Before you jump headfirst into your goals for next year, take time to look back at the year that was. Here’s what I recommend:  

Actually stop

Who gets to the end of the year and feels like they’re going to fall into a heap? It’s called exhaustion and my hand is up! After a hectic year, I’m always ready for a lil’ R&R, and I reckon you probably are, too.  

It’s so important to actually take some time out to recharge the batteries. It doesn’t mean you have to sit on the couch for three weeks and throw all your hard work out the window. But it does mean pulling in the reins and giving yourself time to chill out. 

Fill up your cup

As we power through the year, we use up our energy both physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. So the end of the year marks a time to fill your energy cup back up. 

How we refill it is unique to each of us, but it’s about doing things that make you happy and whole. For me that means quality family time, the outdoors and enjoying an amazing Australian summer.  

For you, it might be spending time in the garden, with friends, or losing yourself in a good book. Whatever refills your energy cup — on all levels — should be on your to-do list these holidays. 

Take time to reflect

What goals did you set in the past 12 months? Did you smash all your PBs, try a new sport, meet some awesome new training buddies? Take a moment to reflect on what has happened in your life in the past year. Notice how you grew, how you rose to the challenge, and whether you’d do things the same or differently if you were to have your time again. 

I love to talk about this with my husband or a friend (sometimes I even write it down) because it allows me to properly process all the things I’ve been a part of and reinforce how I’ve grown. Which leads me to my next point… 

Acknowledge your losses and celebrate your wins

I disagree with anyone who says you should forget about the times you failed. To me, acknowledging the times when you made a mistake, or didn’t quite nail it, can be more powerful for growth than the positive times.  

Taking an objective view on a situation, stripping out the emotion, and looking at where you could improve next time is a ballsy thing to do, but I promise it will help you grow as a person! Don’t dwell. Recall, acknowledge, learn, and move on. 

Now for the positive stuff… Celebrating all the amazing things you did is the perfect way to round out your year, and who doesn’t like a happy ending? Take a moment to look at how far you’ve come. 

Looking ahead to 2020 

Now you’ve taken the time to look back on 2019, shift your focus ahead to next year. 

2020 looks like, feels like, sounds like

Get your crystal ball out for a second … It’s 2020: what does it look like and feel like? What can you hear? What are your main goals and areas of focus, and what are you most looking forward to? Having a vision of your best 2020, is the best way to make it happen.  

Here’s an example of how you could break this down:  

• What does 2020 look like? Are you kicking goals at work and in the gym? Is your family healthy, happy and enjoying life? Is there a new house or marriage or baby in the picture? Is fitness a part of your everyday lifestyle?
• What does 2020 feel like? Are you relaxed, or bubbling with energy? Are you excited about a new fitness challenge or an adventure coming up? Do you feel accomplished, or like you’re champing at the bit to get going? 
• What does 2020 sound like? Are you surrounded by friends chatting or kids laughing? Is there cheering after you nailed a promotion at work? Do you hear waves because you’ve promised yourself to take more beach weekends this year? Let your senses help form your vision.  

Asking yourself these questions and writing them down is the best way to help you determine what success looks like and point you in the right direction. 

Set your goals 

Once you know where you’re going, you should set your goals to get you there. Goals don’t have to be big, hairy and audacious, but they shouldn’t be super-easy either. 

Goal-setting is something everyone should do at the start of every year. It’s not about setting New Year’s resolutions that could fail before January’s out, it’s about setting real goals that will edge you closer to living that ‘best 2020’ you envisaged earlier.  

Remember to keep them SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. 

This is your year 

The holiday period marks a time to stop, reflect, refuel and move forward. Use this time wisely to ensure you step into the new year with confidence and optimism. 

Approach the new year, not with trepidation, but with the attitude of a warrior, which I know lives inside all of you.  

Be brave, be FIERCE, be you. Repeat after me, “Hello 2020. I am ready for you, but are you ready for me?”

Chontel