I love a fresh start. A clean slate.
For me, the start of any year is a chance to map out how you’d like that year to look.
It’s a chance to look back on the previous year and really find the gratitude in the GOOD things that have made up that year.
Then I like to get specific about how I’d like the new year to unfold.
I don’t make resolutions. I set goals. Specific goals.
You might have goals for all aspects of your life – work, relationships, health and finances. Or you might want concentrate on just one aspect.
Like thousands around Australia, I was inspired by Oprah’s live show earlier this month.
I haven’t blogged about it up until this point as I wanted to sit awhile on her key messages, share what I took from that event and create a blueprint about how I’m using those messages for 2016.
Then I thought … maybe you’d like a copy of that blueprint for yourself, to download, print, fill out and ponder as we say goodbye to 2015.
So, TA-DA. Here it is, free and downloadable right HERE or click on the green button below.
Whatever your goals, the aim of the worksheet is to help you create a blueprint for reaching those goals based on who you really are.
These Oprah messages were things that resonated with me and if we aim to apply them to all aspects of our life, it can help us to make plans and decisions that are really in alignment with who we are.
I’m not a life coach. I’m just a person who, as I’ve got older, I’ve understood that no-one else is responsible for my happiness but me.
And damn it, I’m going to be happy.
It doesn’t immune me from bad stuff happening and I don’t mean in any way to diminish the pain that others may be going through right now – or may experience in the future – but my outlook and attitude does help me when the going gets tough.
I’m an unashamed glass-half-full kind of girl.
I hope you have a beautiful, safe and loving end to 2015. Wishing you all the best for 2016.
I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. In 2016, I hope to connect with more Styling You readers – online and in person.
Your turn! Let’s play a sharing game … tell me in the comments below … name one thing you’re grateful for in 2015 and one goal you have for 2016?
PS. Some of my friends have blogged about their experience of the Australian Oprah Live shows. I’m sharing those links here too because too much inspiration is never enough!
Denise Duffield-Thomas: I met Oprah
Vanessa Rowse: My take-home messages from a night with Oprah
Jo Bartley (who blogs at iCurvy but wrote this post on Fat Mum Slim): Lessons from Oprah
Kirsten Smith: Oprah, Poems and Maiden Names
PPS. Thanks to the uber-talented Amanda Fuller from Kaleidoscope for the design work behind the blueprint and quote graphics.
Comments 37
I am super grateful that both my husband and daughter got another three month cancer free ticks. We now all have the time, energy and opportunity to make the most of life.
Thank you Nikki downloading now Xx
I’m grateful for the strength & support of my husband and kids, as we got through an exhausting few months in 2015.
In 2016, I would like to lay the foundation that will take us towards a different path in the future.
I am grateful for having the opportunity to develop a small market stall to showcase and sell my handmade goods. In the last three months of 2015 I amazed myself with my own creativity, perseverance and juggling skills all of which I thought were long lost due to feeling very busy and often overwhelmed by parenthood. I am super grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from my husband, extended family and close friends. Personally I have felt an amazing amount of excitement and energy in my life since my I started following this path. And as a self-confessed introvert, the positive interactions and happy conversations with market-goers is a wonderful tonic after spending many years at home focusing on my little ones wellbeing. 2016? Onwards and upwards I say. 🙂 x
I’m grateful for so many things including all the opportunities we had as a family to experience new things and visit some great places. I’m also grateful that we all had a very good year health wise, as did our extended family. My goal in 2016 is to create more space for spontaneity. I’m a planner who likes to be organised but I want to balance this out a bit more next year. P.S. Thanks for the link to my post too! x
In 2015 I was grateful for my inner strength and for being a ‘strong’ woman which allowed me not to fall apart. It was a hard year in several ways and it seems not just for me but for many people. In 2016 I look forward to good news, happy times and a trip somewhere would be just lovely.
I am so grateful for a loving extended family who enabled me to have an amazing 2 weeks (sans children) in Italy with my hubstar in 2015! It was an incredible trip and I knew the kids were in great hands. Now for 2016, my one goal (and word) is to focus (not phaff!!)
Thank you Nikki, for the blueprint and the link to my Oprah post. So lovely of you and I appreciate both. I’m grateful for the roller coaster of a ride that was 2015 because it’s given me a fresh new outlook on life. Bring on 2016! x
I’m grateful for how I handled 2015, even if I haven’t been grateful for what happened in 2015 always! For 2016 I want to follow on with the improvements to my health that I started in the recent months.
thankyou nikki for being you!
for sharing yourself with us! … you are a great communicator!
I haven’t met you but “you had me at hello”! … good name for a blog!
you are warm and your glass is always half full! even if you’ve been drinking too much! … just guessing!
i’m grateful for my life and how I live it! keeping body and soul together and doing my creative work!
i’m grateful to have breakie reading your blog nearly every day!
and that is a positive way to start my day!
here’s to a happy and healthy 2016!
you’ve done very well in 2015 my friend!
much love to you and yours lovely! … m:)X
M, thanks so much for turning up here almost every day. I feel like we’ve met … but that’s the beauty of the internet. xx
I am so grateful for my family, their health and my own health. I have some challenges to face but really they are minor compared to what others face and I am grateful for that! Thank you for the download, your constant happy, half full attitude and your inspiring work!
Good vibes headed your way for those challenges Jess and thank-you xx
I’m grateful firstly for the new grandson who was born this year! I had a lot of first’s this year, some great things and some shitty moments too. A surgery that was out of the blue, but turned out well. Planning to make 2016 more about me, I need to step back and take it easier, stop rushing, get healthier. Thanks for the download Nikki, Happy New Year, and I look forward to reading your blog daily next year, and watching your ongoing success. Kathryn x
Thanks so much for your fabulous support Kathryn – I love hearing that you’re making 2016 more about you! You deserve it!
Downloaded and going to go through this later today Nikki. Thank you for being such a wonderful support to me and other bloggers. Wishing you a wonderful and successful 2016. I’m grateful for blogging and writing at home is allowing me to be the stay at home mum I always wanted to be and for 2016 I want to manage my time better. 🙂
I think managing my time will always be an annual goal – the nature of what we do is that it’s so varied that it’s not so easy to plan out a “normal” week. Can’t wait to see what 2016 brings for you x
I’m most grateful for the ongoing support and love from my mum. Being single at my age can be quite isolating sometimes… realising you’re no one’s priority…
As for next year, I’d like to try to get fitter and healthier and feeling more confident re my writing.
I love your mum, Deb! And your writing! Keep on at it x
Thanks for including my post lovely!
Thanks for writing it! It felt I was right there with you. x
2015 has been a challenging year, financially it started off rough & my mum had a serious health scare, but I shall remember it as the year my eldest went to kindy and flourished & I got to spend more time with my youngest. 2016 means starting school for miss 5. My goal is to keep on top of my anxiety & make the most of this precious time at home with my youngest before she heads off to kindy in 2017. Wishing you a happy & successful 2016. Love your inspiration. Xx
Oh Kel, that would be tough with your mum. So precious spending time with the youngest – the eldest always gets that time by virtue of arriving first so nice to be able to make memories together. x
Thank you Nikki for giving so much more than you ever take
Your generosity of spirit shines through everything you write and achieve in your life
I’m so grateful for the walls that now surround me
I look forward to a new year….a new journey…that will truly bring me home
❤️
Oh Susan, now I’m a blubbering mess! Thank-you. It’s been lovely getting to know you more this year. Excited for your new journey and I’ll see you VERY soon (if you’re at home in a couple of weeks) x
Oh THANKS gorgeous!!…for both the blueprints AND your beautiful inspo throughout the year!! Always love popping in here!! Look forward to more next year xx Oh…and surprisingly I’m grateful for the challenges I’ve faced in 2015. Goals for next year – accept, feel and create!! Xx
Not surprising – it’s good that you’re grateful for the challenges – it’s something I’ve worked on myself as I can’t change what happens but I can change how I react to it. Love your goals too!
I am grateful for sharing my life with a husband who loves me as much as I love him; for having the time, financial resources and health to be able to travel to Europe in 2015; for my Mum surviving a health scare and being able to celebrate Christmas with us again; and for living in a lovely home in one of the safest beautiful cities and countries in the world.
In 2016, I would like more of the same, but my goal is to be kinder to myself and less judgemental of others.
Oh Johanne, yes to that. Feeling so grateful myself for your first two. x
I am grateful for my lovely children and my husband surviving this year after a heart attack. For 2016 I wish us all to be happy and healthy. X
Oh Yvonne, how scary for you. Health is key. Wishing you that and more in 2016. x
I am grateful that I have so many of my family still with me, that my children and grandchildren are all healthy and happy, that I have a good man who loves me as much as I love him and that I have a job that I get satisfaction from most days. 2016 is the year I will turn 60, My goal is to be healthier and take more time for relaxation and chilling with my friends and loved ones. I already have a couple of holidays planned which should help with the relaxation goal!
Oh Diane, beautiful reflection and goals … and what a special year 2016 will be for you. Happy 60th birthday festival! x
In 2015 I am grateful for my last visit with my beautiful brother who died in March and for the deep love we shared.
In 2016 one of my goals is to sell our house and move.
Oh Jan, such poignant memories wrapped up sadness and gratitude. Wishing you all the best for your house selling and move.
I’m loving those quotes and having major FOMO that I didn’t get to see Oprah, but I did get to meet you in 2015 which totally balances things out! I’m grateful that I got another clean bill of health this year, as much as I love the freshness and shininess of a new year, I find my new chapters for living come between doctor’s appointments. As for goals, 2016 will be the year to get stuck into my studies! Thanks for all the bloggy goodness this year – hope your 2016 is full of all good things!
Oh you’re too funny Sammie. And I’m so glad you got another clean bill of health – I totally get that your new chapters come from each of those appointments. xx