From Dr. Jane's Notebook

Self-Inventory: Tool for New Year

Ahhh... the New Year. September can be regarded as more of the same... or the start of a new year, a new chance to upgrade your lifestyle and establish new goals. To accomplish this fresh start, I recommend the following Self-Inventory:

Make a List. As trivial as it may seem, it is an excellent exercise to write down all the things that you do and all of the things you want to do. Include your volunteer efforts, your job responsibilities, things you do for your spouse and kids, and your goals for the next four months. Consider how you feel about the things on your list. A few items may need some adjustment.
Be Good to Yourself. Note those things which are overwhelming and brainstorm ways to reduce those responsibilities. Consider adding things to the list that build, rather than deplete, your energy.
Improve your Mental Attitude and Self-Esteem. There are lots of ways to improve your outlook: Take a course, upgrade your exercise routine, invest in new clothes or do whatever makes you feel better. The key is knowing yourself well enough to know what makes you feel better... and doing it!
Order your Priorities. It is easy to get bogged down in undesirable obligations and ignore those things which are truly important to you. Develop your own "Importance Test" for the ways you spend your time.
Remember your Family. Among your goals, consider things you wish to do for members of your extended family. This may be as simple as remembering to call them once a week, running errands or just spending time with them. In the end, the quality of our lives is greatly influenced by these relationships.

A few years back, I found myself working four nights a week, involved in volunteer efforts that often took me away from family, and frequently, preoccupied me with a million worries. Not only was this detrimental to my family relationships, but frankly, it was not good my mental health. My "importance test" these days goes something like this: If the activity requires my evening time, it must involve atleast one other member of my family. This cuts out alot of meetings... but not the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts or Date-Night!

Return to Personal Growth

Return to Table of Contents

Last Updated October 25, 1998 by Gary M. Grandon, Ph.D.