Monthly review: re-calibrating and re-energising

Monthly review_ re-calibrating and re-energising

January is my favourite month of the year for a few reasons:

  • The weather is awesome.
  • It is the start of the new year and I love the feeling of a fresh start.
  • The kids are on school holidays so we can go with the flow more.
  • I have time off work.

January is the month of the year where I re-calibrate and re-energise. This year in January I doubled down on this as I really felt I needed it. And it of course was in alignment with my goal for 2019 – nurture new routines to re-energise, re-invigorate and create personal growth.

January was very much a go with the flow month. I didn’t menu plan (was away a lot so wasn’t needed as much), I didn’t stick to my usual exercise routine, I ate foods I usually don’t, I slept lots more and I spent as much time as possible outdoors – even on super hot days!

The result was at the end of January, I really felt I had disconnected from my old routines, had tried out some new things and most importantly had significant time for self reflection. I reflected on things like my life purpose, where I want to be in five years, what do I really love to do, how can I give more and how much I have to be grateful in my life.

I am still working out lots of things. I don’t have any new routines set nor answers to all the questions I asked myself over January, but what I do have is energy to try some new things, to explore options and a willingness to make changes – I feel super excited about it!

How has your year started? I would love to hear about it!

My monthly review for January

HabitConnection to goal - Nurture new routines to re-energise, re-invigorate and create personal growth.Poem quoteJanuary review
Establish a new work routineI have been working from home for the last 10 years and the last couple I have had less connection with others.

In 2019 I want to change the way I work to re-energise the way I feel about work.
“Don't let your life goals fall victim to the allure of comfortable routines.”
~ Zero Dean
This wasn't really applicable for January as I only did a bit of work here and there.

I did however have a great reminder about how a change in physical environment can have a huge impact on your productivity. The year 12 son and I did a few sessions of work going to a local library. I would get more done then in 3 hours than a whole day trying to work from home with all of the family around!
Establish a new morning routineI have had the same morning routine for about the last 5 years. It has served me well, but with the changes in ages of the kids there is now greater flexibility and it is time, I tried some new routines to re-invigorate the start to my day.“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.”
~ John C. Maxwell
For January my experimentation with a new routine was to have no routine! I went on a day by day basis, decided when to exercise and what to do only the night before.

I didn't do any 5:30am CrossFit classes and I really did love sleeping a little longer! I would usually wake somewhere between 6:00am to 7:00am of my own accord - it was enjoyable to wake up without an alarm.
Dedicate two hours a week to learning something newI read, listen to podcasts and audiobooks, but I haven't taken the time to really learn something new for some time.

This habit may change a little along the way, but the aim is that I learn something that helps me grow or gives me a new skill.
"Change is the end result of all true learning."
~Leo Buscaglia
I signed up for and started a short online course. It goes for 30 days so will carry on into February.

I am really enjoying it and it is making me do some significant self reflection. This is equal parts confronting and liberating.
Create a bimonthly non fiction book clubStarting a book club has been on my list of things to do for years and by making it non fiction, it will support my goal for personal growth. Yes I could read the books on my own, but I always get so much more out of a book if I know I have to discuss it with others.“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
~Dr. Seuss
I made a conscious decision to not start on this until February.