Monthly Reset: Mindset Version

You might refresh your space and calendar at the start of a new month, but do you do something similar for your mindset?

Many people use the start of a new month to reset their calendar and space for a fresh-start feeling. Tidying up your work area, sweeping your floors, and replenishing your groceries can all feel renewing and reinvigorating.

But what about your mindset, thoughts, mood, and where you choose to focus your attention?

In my experience, cleaning up my space without also cleaning up my mindset - or at least examining it to see how it is and is not currently serving me - feels akin to someone taking a new job without fully looking at what they didn’t like about their previous one, then finding themselves in a ‘different job / same frustrations’ situation soon after.

P.S. A small vase of fresh flowers on your desk can brighten both your space *and* your mindset!

We’re stepping into a new month in a few days. In addition to decluttering your counters and shredding outdated papers, consider answering some of these questions to refresh your mindset as well:

• What are your top three wins from the past month? (Pause and give yourself a pat on the back for these!)

• What helpful reminder or lesson did you learn that you want to carry with you?

• What are you looking forward to in the new month? (If nothing immediately comes to mind, take this opportunity to plan a funtivity or two for yourself.)

• In what seasonal delight(s) do you want to partake? (For instance, our garden tomatoes will be ripe, and I’m setting aside some time for harvesting/preserving them - plus excitedly anticipating BLT dinners at the picnic table!)

• Who and how do you most wish to be in the world? What word(s) would you most like to describe you?

  

  I ask myself this on a daily basis, but you can also replace ‘today’ with ‘this month’ as you look ahead.

• At this time next month, what do you most want to have completed or accomplished? (Keep your response to 1-3 priorities for greater focus.)

• What goal or project do you definitely want to move forward this month? What is one action you will commit to taking to make that happen?

• What new or unique event, festival, fair, concert, networking function, or online retreat will you attend to add a bit of zest to your month?

• What will you add or change to your routine to help the month flow better? (For example, I typically go for a walk/jog in the afternoon, but our typical late-summer heat has me shifting this around a bit for the month ahead.)

• What, specifically, will help imbue your month with meaning and purpose?

• What word or theme would you like to define the upcoming month overall?

Take what you can use from this past month, sweep away what no longer serves you, and start your new month fresh, clear, and filled with purposeful intention!

What else will help you refresh your mindset for the new month? Share your ideas, tips, and questions below!

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Dr. Christi Hegstad is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) who helps you work with meaning, live with purpose, and reach bold + difference-making goals. Coaching is now open with a limited number of spaces available - learn more here!