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Kim Potgieter
Being in nature is my happy space, and I fully immersed myself in the experience, taking time to be completely present in every moment, relaxed and absorbed the energy and beauty of nature. When we returned to Johannesburg, I was fully rejuvenated and prepared to tackle 2021 with energy and enthusiasm. I was excited to start the virtual retreat that I booked with my life coach, Kate Emmerson before I left. I was ready to realign and to set quiet time aside to listen to my inner voice, to hear my essence and be focused to reclaim the gifts I needed for the new year.
I gifted myself four hours per day for seven days and cancelled social media, news, Netflix, sugar and alcohol from my life. This was to set the scene for an environment where I could block out some of the noise and find a way to reflect on just how much I have to be grateful for, connect with myself and what is important to me, and prioritise the areas of my life that I wanted to focus on.
Carl Jung says that your vision will only become clear when you can look into your own heart. For me, this translates into making the time to reflect, to listen to your inner voice and have a courageous conversation with yourself.
I have always found value in creating a yearly vision board. For me, it’s a way to direct my attention to what is important, and not just what is urgent. And it is important to expend your energy on all eight areas of your life: work, give-back, relationships, health, purpose, play, learn and money. That’s why I like using the Wheel of Balance when I set my yearly intentions. I have intentions for each of these areas, and I make sure to put them in a prominent place in my home where I can see them every day – I have one in my study, and one in my favourite me-time space, where I can see it while having a bath.
I fully realise that my intentions cannot be set in stone and that things do change as life happens. Things don’t always turn out the way I want them to – but often, it turns out better!
Our time is so precious, so taking the time to reflect on what your year will look like if it turns out well, is so important. Remember that it is not whether you are worthy of the goal, but whether the goal is worthy of you, your energy and your time. If a goal is worth having, it is worth taking the time to visualise it, plan for it and make it happen. And this is especially also true for money. Money is an important area on your intentions board, and all too often I see vision boards lacking in this one crucial area.
Having an intentions board (or vision board) helps you direct your money habits to what matters most in your life. This gives me personally the ambition to earn it! It gives me the discipline to save and invest money towards a meaningful reward and helps me not to waste money on things that are not part of my intentions.
Always remember, when it comes to your money, be inspired, be brave and be on purpose.
Kim
This was such a great read! I have not yet worked on my vision board for the year but I have scheduled time to do this on the first weekend of February. Before Chartered I had never done a vision board – or even thought to do one. I did one for the first time last year – and wow I wish I had started earlier, but better late then never right?
Thank you Kim!