November invites us to reflect on how we spend our time and energy. As the year winds down, we can ask ourselves: Are the commitments, activities, and obligations we’re carrying into 2025 truly serving us? Or are they just routines we haven’t re-evaluated in a while?
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” — Joseph Campbell[1]
Let’s use C.H.O.I.C.E. to help guide this reflection. This month reminds us that we get to choose what stays and what goes.
- C – Clarity: Take a step back and reflect on where your energy has gone over the past months. Are your commitments aligned with your more profound goals and values, or are they simply obligations you’ve accepted out of habit?
- H – Heart: Does this activity or commitment feel right in your heart? Sometimes, our feelings tell us what our minds can’t. Tune in and listen to your inner voice.
- O – Others: Consider how your choices impact those around you—your family, community, and even the broader world. Are you contributing to the greater good or spreading yourself too thin to make a real difference?
- I—Intention: Are you intentionally choosing what you dedicate your time and energy to, or are you letting circumstances choose for you? Consciously deciding where your energy goes is a powerful tool for alignment.
- C – Compassion: Be gentle with yourself during this reflection. It’s okay to release what no longer serves you. Let go with grace, knowing that you make space for what truly matters by doing so.
- E – Evaluate: As you review your commitments, ask: “Does this serve me, my family, my community, my world?” If the answer is no, it might be time to let it go.
Although I encourage using the C.H.O.I.C.E. framework as a focus in November, my ultimate goal is to make it a daily practice. From the small, everyday decisions to the more significant ones, it’s about developing the habit of moving through each step thoughtfully and instinctively. This way, I can avoid looking back in a month or two and asking, “What did I create when I wasn’t being intentional?”
Smart Choices: 3 Must-Try Tips
- Make a List of Commitments: Write down all of your current obligations, both personal and professional. Reflect on which ones truly align with your values and goals and which may be draining your energy without serving a deeper purpose.
- Check Your Feelings: Check in with your heart as you look at your list. Which commitments bring you joy or fulfillment? Which ones feel like a burden? Your feelings can be a compass for realigning your priorities.
- Give Yourself Permission to Let Go: It’s okay to let go of commitments that no longer serve you, Creating room for new opportunities and aligning more closely with your authentic self.
If you’re ready to become more intentional and align your values and goals as you move into the holiday season and new year, I encourage you to
- Consciously choose one thing to release—an obligation, a habit, or a belief that no longer serves you.
- Share your experience with someone close to you, or if you’re comfortable, post about it on social media and tag us.
- Join our community to stay current on what’s happening with those who push past limiting beliefs and labels to exceed expectations at work, at home, and in the community.
Let’s inspire each other to step into 2025 with clarity and intention.
[1] The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are. | Dawn Productions. https://www.dawn-productions.com/as-i-see-it/the-privilege-of-a-lifetime-is-being-who-you-are-2/attachment/the-privilege-of-a-lifetime-is-being-who-you-are-2/
