We are entering the winter season. Less light, less warmth and likely less time spent outdoors. 

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Growing up in central New York I often looked forward to the winter. Obviously this was because of the massive snow forts built on snow days! But there was also something wild and rugged living where the roads could be shut down as you were stuck inside by the fire watching 2-3 feet of snow dumping outside. 

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As I’ve lived in southeastern PA for the past 9 years our winters are certainly not what they used to be. Although we may not get seasonal snowfall that really makes your teeth chatter I can still find a similar process happening within. Apart from the deafening silence of a heavy snowfall that I typically enjoy, I find that each winter brings a similar internal system of understanding. 

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Just like homesteaders, farmers and off grid dwellers must do to prepare for the long winter months ahead, we must shelter within. Preparing for the cold, gathering supplies and checking inventory to see how the yields have turned out is vital for their survival. And although we have the luxury of grocery stores, indoor heat and 1-day delivery services we may never have to think about survival to this extreme. 

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But whether we like to or not, we do take time to check stock and plan for what is ahead. 

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Just as December marks the beginning of winter it is also the end of the year. So as tradition has it, we glance at our social media recaps, listen to our Top 5 most played songs and appreciate our wins and losses. Hopefully as you look back it is not completely filled with “What can I do better?”, but “What have I done right?”

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This internal dialogue that we have is fascinating to me. This process “sharpens the axe” so to speak so we can take these experiential learnings and apply them to new goals, new adventures and hopefully bigger aspirations. 

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Looking back on my own challenges I often find myself asking: 

• Did I rise to the occasion?
• Was my preparation adequate for these levels of challenge?
• What did these challenges teach me?
• What did I enjoy the most about these challenges?

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Maybe despite your pain and injuries you still found a way to exercise, think about better food choices and traveled to some really awesome places this year. 

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Maybe you overcame a completely new challenge that made you rethink your entire way of exercising, running and your relationship with those activities. 

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Maybe you felt the effects of jumping back into something too soon after being sick or coming off an injury to feel even more disappointed in your capability. 

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Personally I know for a fact that it’s a little uncomfortable to either confirm that I bit off more than I could chew or to say that the goal was too easy and I “played it safe.” But nonetheless this growth process is pivotal for getting confronting future obstacles, progressing through your fitness at any age and putting pain and injuries behind you. 

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I’ve always advocated to my clients that in order to heal, progress your injury or perform at a new level you will need to do something you’ve never done before. And often that requires something a bit radical. Even if it’s starting this process of going within, examining your challenges and planning for another year - that’s OKAY!

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If you’re ready to dive in and start planning more for yourself in 2024 here are a few helpful tips:

1. Start with 1 Big SMART (specific/measurable/achievable/relevant/time-bound) Goal for the year. 

• This could be a race, a new place you are traveling to or the year you tackle a new milestone in your fitness. Whichever you choose, aim high and make sure it looks intimidating. 

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2. Break down your Big Goal into two separate chunks of time.

• This would be the preparation or base building phase that sets the tone for your goal and the phase where you actually tackle and complete your goal

3. Plan Recovery Time

• Rest and recovery is pivotal to our success. It is not something you earn from all the hard work you are doing. It is part of the process and should be accounted for. 

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4. Leave some room for the Magic to happen

• You cannot possibly plan and prepare everything to go right. Do your best and keep an open mind that sometimes the unexpected moments will guide you towards exactly what you need.

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5. Distinguish your inner Resistance from your Intuition

• The body keeps the score. Some days you are not going to feel right about what’s planned ahead of time. It’s best to listen to these signs and distinguish the difference between your internal Resistance talking and your Body’s intuition letting you know you should pivot. 
• Are you just feeling lazy and your mind is telling you to rest or are there more “gut feelings” that you should be backing off today?
• If you do pivot, these moments are never a setback but merely a reset. 

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6. Why do you need to do this?

• This question should go a bit deeper than motivation. Imagine your 3 year old self asking you over and over “Why?” “Why?” “But why?”
• Answering this question requires you to dig deep and make sure your Big Goal is rooted in something that requires you to complete it, not just because you think it would be good for you to do. 
• No matter your reason for achieving this goal, make sure you can always come back to this question and answer it so a 3 year old understands.

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It certainly is nice when you hit bullseye knowing that your planning and preparation were on point. And we should all strive for that equilibrium where things feel more precise. But you have to admit, it’s difficult to throw a dart and hit bullseye if you have nothing to aim at. 

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You may have had a year of a lot of trials and tribulations. Or you may have had one of your best years yet that makes you wonder how you could possibly top it. Whichever direction you went, examine those highs and lows and make sure those data points give you some sense of gratitude. 

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Where did your darts land on your 2023 dartboard, and what will next year’s look like?

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I like to think that good reflection, a solid plan and the ability to pivot at a moment's notice can create a perfect blend for throwing darts more precisely at my dartboard. Refining this process becomes a skill that anyone can all get better at. 

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I hope you enjoy the end of your year and I wish you a happy New Year!