Hey Achiever! 

How balanced do you feel across different areas of your life this winter?

As we embrace the chill of winter here in Massachusetts, with snow in the streets and freezing temperatures, it's more necessary than ever to pause and reflect on your well-being. Like most January goal setters, you might be finding it harder to stick to the new goals you set than you initially anticipated, and weather can have a lot to do with it! Instead of waiting for the warmth of spring and summer to set your goals, let’s explore how to optimize your well-being right now. The Well-Being Wheel is a fantastic tool for understanding where YOU are and where YOU want to be. 

You may remember from a previous blog post, that it helps us assess eight key areas of your well-being.  Today, I want to dive deeper into how to use this tool throughout the year (especially right now in the winter season) to reach your meaningful achievements.

I promise—your big goals will touch multiple areas of your life, and shouldn't stop making progress because of factors outside of our control, like the weather.  And as always, it can be easier than you think!

The Magic of Seasonal Shifts

It's more than just the foliage changing colors in the fall! Think about it: In summer, you might naturally gravitate toward more physical activity and social connections. Come fall, your focus might shift to career growth and learning. Winter often draws us inward, emphasizing emotional and spiritual well-being, while spring inspires environmental changes and physical renewal.

But here's what's fascinating—and what many people miss: Your BIG goals usually ripple across multiple areas of your well-being wheel, even when your daily habits focus on just one or two sections.

Let's break this down with a real example - Say your goal is to advance in your career (Occupational well-being). Sounds straightforward, right? But look closer:

• You'll likely need to network (Social well-being)

• Invest in additional education (Intellectual well-being)

• Manage your energy and stress (Emotional well-being)

• Maybe even set aside funds for courses (Financial well-being)

This is why I love helping people see the bigger picture of their goals. It's not just about checking boxes, it's about understanding how each area of your life supports and enhances the others.

Making Your Habits Season-Smart

Here's why it is important to plan on a bigger calendar. Since your big goals touches multiple areas, your daily habits can (and should) be more focused. Using our career advancement example:

• Summer: Focus on networking at outdoor industry events

• Fall: Dive into that certification program you've been considering

• Winter: Develop your emotional resilience through journalling and meditation

• Spring: Refresh your workspace and professional image

See how each season naturally supports different aspects of your goal? That's not coincidence—that's strategic planning! You should work with your natural tendency not against them!

Your Action Plan for Seasonal Success

Start by doing a self audit of where you are: yes that means completing a new Well-Being Wheel.  (Here is one to print!)  With the snow and cold affecting our daily routines, are there areas that have shifted since our last check-in? 

• First grab that colored pencil and assess how you currently feel in each category. 

• After you have each marked, fill in from the point you're at in to the middle of the circle. 

• When you’re done take a look… does it look like a wheel or is this an unbalanced shape?  

• Next mark a dot with where you’d be comfortable with each area.  

• Finally connect those dots, and see where YOU want to see improvements.

Try not to look at to any previous well-being wheels you've done. DON'T compare yourself to a previous time or someone else.  This isn't about if you should feel better because you made changes from last time.  Its about how you are currently feeling about your overall well-being and the individual areas.

Understanding Winter Influences on Well-Being Areas

Each season brings unique influences that can impact various aspects of your well-being, especially in a winter environment and living in a place with seasons:

• Emotional: Cold weather and shorter days can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Reflect on how you’re feeling and the importance of engaging in activities that uplift your mood, like indoor hobbies or connecting with friends virtually.

• Physical: Winter can make outdoor exercise challenging, but it’s crucial to stay active. Consider setting goals for indoor workouts, joining a local gym, or trying winter sports like skiing or snowshoeing to maintain your physical health despite the cold.

• Intellectual: With more time spent indoors, winter is a great opportunity for intellectual growth. Are there books you’ve wanted to read, online courses you can take, or new hobbies you can explore to stimulate your mind during these long, cold months?

• Spiritual: Use this quiet time to reflect and connect with your inner self. Consider journaling, meditation, or exploring your spiritual beliefs deeper. Setting goals around these practices can bring clarity and purpose during the winter months.

• Environmental: Winter’s harshness can make it easy to forget about our surroundings. Take time to create a cozy, inviting home environment that supports your well-being. This could involve decluttering, adding plants, or creating a warm atmosphere to enhance your comfort.

• Financial: With holiday spending still fresh in our minds, winter is a good time to reassess your financial goals. Establish a budget that allows for savings while still enjoying winter activities. Setting financial goals now can help alleviate stress down the road.

• Occupational: The winter may feel slower in some work environments, but it’s an excellent time for professional development. Consider setting goals for skill enhancement, networking, or even exploring new job opportunities that align with your passions.

• Social: While the cold weather may limit outdoor gatherings, it’s important to maintain social connections. Set goals to host cozy indoor gatherings, game nights, or reaching out to friends and family more often for short conversations, these can help combat feelings of isolation.  

Prioritizing Seasonal Adjustments

Once you’ve evaluated your wheel, prioritize the areas that require attention. What changes or goals resonate most with you during this winter season? Perhaps you want to focus on your emotional and social well-being by scheduling regular check-ins with friends or maybe you’re more determined to work on your physical and spiritual well-being through a new yoga or strength and meditation class. Use the lines next to the wheel to rank your priorities for the upcoming season.

Transforming Insights into Action

With your priorities in mind, brainstorm actionable steps to enhance your well-being this winter. Create a list of potential actions, whether big or small. For instance, if you want to improve your social well-being, consider planning a game night with friends or a tubing/ski trip. 

Use this brainstorming area not just to list the most likely things to do, but ALL the things that someone could do if they wanted to improve this area given what you already do.

Consider any big goals you have as well, what steps can you take now to move toward the bigger goal down the road. Star the actions that resonate with you the most. This is your plan to embrace the season fully!

Finding Balance in Your Goals

As you set your winter habits and goals, remember that improvements in one area may affect others. For example, if you commit to more indoor activities, consider how that might impact your social life or work commitments. Strive for a balance that feels right for you.

Celebrate Your Seasonal Progress!

Recognize that you are continuously evolving, even in the midst of winter. Celebrate each step you take towards enhancing your well-being. Reflect on your progress and ask yourself questions like:

• Are you feeling good about your winter goals?

• Do you need to break any down further to ensure they’re manageable?

• Are there additional resources or support you need to stay on track?

Don’t hesitate to reach out for support—I’m here to help you navigate this journey toward a balanced life and your new meaningful achievements.

Revisiting Your Well-Being Regularly

As the seasons change, so should your well-being check-ins. Set a date to revisit this exercise regularly, whether it’s quarterly, monthly, or even seasonally. The Well-Being Wheel is a dynamic tool that can guide you toward a fulfilling life, helping you align your goals, values, and actions.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Embrace the opportunities that each season brings to work towards your big goals.

If you're feeling overwhelmed about how to balance all these areas or aren't sure which habits to focus on first, I'm here to help! Together, we can craft a plan that works with your natural tendencies and can set you up for success throughout the year. Because YOU deserve to feel confident in YOUR ability to hit YOUR meaningful achievements in a way that works for YOU. 

Celebrating your every win,

Adrienne - Founder, Meaningful Achievements

Make sure to join my email list to ensure you never miss out on valuable content, special celebrations of wins, and exclusive offers that can help you reach your goals faster!