This is post 5 of 6 in the series “Middle Way Method”
In the Middle Way Method there times to take a look at your values, goals, projects, mission, and vision at different levels. There are some common steps for each of these reviews. The first is to examine your mission and vision statements in the context of the current review, for example The yearly, weekly, and monthly reviews will focus on your mission statement primarily, while the daily review will focus on your vision statement. Each of the reviews is best done after centering yourself spiritually with prayer, scripture study, or meditation. Looking forward and inward create the best climate for the reviews.
The reviews are:
- Yearly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily
Yearly Review
The yearly review is the big picture review. In the yearly review you want to examine the path your life is going compared to the path that you had charted.
To accomplish the yearly review follow the following steps:
- Review your relationships, roles, and values.
- Review your goals.
Examine your relationships, roles and values.
- How have your relationships, values and goals changed over the year?
- How are your relationships, values and goals the same?
Review your goals from the previous year, and determine if there are any that are no longer important. Once you have reviewed the previous year chart your goals for the coming year. Try to forecast what should happen in your relationships and roles. Look at your goals, and break them down into steps.
Be sure to examine yourself and your mission and vision statement. Ask yourself:
- Do I still wish to become the person I am striving to become?
- Are there any new goals to incorporate into my life?
The best time for a yearly review may be different for everyone, but some good times, are on birthdays, new year, and anniversaries of important events.
Monthly Review
The monthly review is a good time to look at the weekly review journal entries for the previous month, and look for any patterns. This review can be short, and just added to the weekly review of the first week in the month.
Weekly Review
The Weekly review is part of the heart of the reviews. The goal of the weekly review is to outline the important tasks, including taking care of yourself, your relationships, and roles.
The Weekly Review follows the following sequence:
- Review & Edit Mission and Vision Statements
- Review Last Week * What Goals Were Achieved? * What Were the Challenges?
- Decide Which Roles to Act On
- Identify Goals (Physical, Spiritual, Mental, & Social)
- Process In-boxes
- Review, Edit, and Create Goals
Try to find a way to invigorate, and improve yourself in key areas of your life. These are things which can be overlooked if you do not plan for them.
Daily Review
In the daily review start by reciting your vision statement to yourself. This will lead you to becoming the person you wish to become. After reviewing your vision statement, go over your calendar, and tasks for the day. Try to plan out when you will accomplish tasks without a set time. Remember to keep the time for completing tasks fluid, as things will come up during the course of the day. A few times a day refer to your calendar and task list, and refresh yourself on what you wanted to do.
Conclusion
The reviews are sequenced so that there are two which encourage you to look at :yourself, and into the future, and two that help ensure that you are on the path you have set. Each one has an important scope of your life to examine. The set of reviews are where the processes come together to help us achieve our goals improve, and become the better person we believe we can be.