New intentions for 2018

So 10 days into the New year and it can mean only one thing! Time to announce those intentions for 2018. I prefer to drop the term ‘resolutions’ as that infers you’ve been doing something wrong that needs correcting. Instead I look forward in the new with a more positive and empowering slight. So for example you may have the intention to have great vitality and energy. This will probably result in stepping away from the chocolate and wine habit, but by focusing on the intention the resolution should follow with ease.

In terms of the bigger picture I was lucky enough to dedicate two days to plotting my 2018 back in November when I attended the Focus and Thrive workshop hosted by Fiona Humberstone and Elizabeth Cairns. Two days spent in the breathtaking Beaverbrook estate hotel listening to Fiona’s inspiring tales of entrepreneurship and Elizabeth’s unique approach to business coaching. Or life coaching as she calls it, as for many of us, business is a big part of life. But also what I loved was hanging out with 11 other creative small business owners in such an inspiring location. More to that in 2018 already!

Mingling in the glorious Parrot room at the Beaverbrook estate.

What was game changing for me was viewing the year a head in its entirety. By bringing into focus what I’m passionate about, I was able to create goals that sparked fire. Next was getting a clear handle on how they could fit into a 12 month calendar. Amazingly the solutions on how this would manifest then just presented themselves. What amazed me was how booked up I already was, almost half the year was full of work commitments already. This then allowed me to really drill down what I wanted the second part of the year to look like. And I didn’t want it to look like was too busy! My aim to get a healthy life work balance means for me, booking of the school holidays to be with my son and enjoy my home and the garden.

Much of the workshop was carried out whilst walking around the glorious gardens that surround at the Beaverbrook estate grounds.

The next game changer was filling in the year wall planner we were issued.  By the time I’d booked off all the holidays it took up a lot of the year. So what’s left has to be stuff that’s really worth doing, whether that’s financially or creatively. It was really very empowering to have such clarity. Finally Fiona talked about the anti-hustle. This I think is a very interesting concept especially when you look at people using social media for career profit and doing it with plenty of hustle is like a badge of honour. However ‘hustle’ sounds like too much hard work. If your business feels HARD, then that’s not particularly inspiring and it’s not the only route to success. Imagine having a business that garners success with ease and grace? That’s my overall intention for this year, but I’m still working on it!

So here are some of my intentions for the rest of 2018. I’d love to know your thoughts…

Work towards writing a book. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for years but I’ve struggled to think of what I’d have to say that would be unique. No doubt it will largely be based around decorating with colour and how to style your home to feel creatively unique. But until I book in the time to do it it’s never going to happen. That’s what’s planned for the end of this year.

Spend more time in my garden. We’ve got a glorious 5 acres here at the house, but all I know how to do is mow! Is my journey into gardening, something you’d like me to share on this blog?

This year I’d like to open up more opportunities to collaborate with like-minded people. Sharing our passion for interiors, design, well being and business. I’m kicking off the year with a collaboration with the wonderfully intelligent Kate from Mad about the house. I think this is a perfect marriage. I’m all colour, she’s all neutrals and yet combined we have over 50 years worth of knowledge in interior design. (I know we don’t look that old do we!)

So it wouldn’t be a New Year without mentioning well being. Yes I want to be fitter slimmer and have more energy! This means I need to get moving! Since we moved away from Brighton I miss the gym and yoga classes and haven’t set myself a new routine. For two years, while I was trying to get pregnant, I was on the most ridiculously healthy diet. I felt and looked amazing!. Self care takes self dedication so I’m ready to direct some energies in this area once more. I’ll let you know how I get on! For anyone who hasn’t tried it, quitting sugar is SO hard but the boost in energy you get really makes it worth it. I used Sarah Wilsons ‘I quit Sugar’ book to get me started which I can highly recommend.

I’d love to aim to go on two retreats a year. Be they yoga retreats or business development retreats. Just something that gives me time out to recharge and refocus. It really is the best investment.

My focus for my blog and social media this year is going to be to explore what makes a home. I’m setting myself the target to post on the blog once a week and post on instagram everyday. I’m considering doing some fashion posts, simply to share what I wear and continue to share the colour love. Love to know your thoughts on this?!

It’s timely too as this year we have started renovating a decorating our house in the woods. Its our forever home so we are looking at things really differently and investing on the basics like installing under floor heating and getting the lighting plans absolutely right. It’s costly but you only do it once! But again on the focus and thrive workshop it really came up for me on how important my home and the way its decorated really has a huge impact on my wellbeing.

So in a nut shell 2018 is about consolidating what I’m already doing without this feeling of overwhelm which I know so many of us struggle with. I’d love to know what your intentions are for 2018, so please share them with me on the comments below.

And good news for anyone who’s not got their game plan on for this year, or you’re interested in attending Fiona and Elizabeths Focus and thrive workshops, the next one is being hosted on the 22nd February and you can book a spot here.

Happy New Year!