Don't Go Deep, Go Wide: How a Depth Year Can Be Your Winning Ticket to Transformation
At the end of every year, we are asked to review, revisit and reevaluate all of the things we’ve gathered from the recent previous seasons. Sometimes we find that we’ve picked up a few new tricks and laid to rest a few old ones. But then there’s the group of us that don’t feel all the way accomplished at all. And it possibly (and probably) comes down to the fact that one key factor was out of whack for most of the year- your focus.
Image cred: @namegoeshere
Any successful person will tell you about the importance of intention but they absolutely will not leave out the just as essential partner to this, which is attention. Multitasking and picking up hobbies like potential love interests at a local bar might make you feel busy and productive. But in the long run, it could be your downfall.
So what’s your alternative, you ask?
Here’s some quick brainfood-
Do you know why divers search for treasure at the bottom of the ocean floor versus running laps towards the surface?
The lesson here from our brave, water-treading friends is to take a specific, intensely focused amount of time to go deep rather than going wide.
In human terms, we’re calling this a depth year.
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What is a Depth Year?
Shiny ball syndrome is a thing. And if you’ve been a victim of it before then you probably have tons of unfinished projects, half-started businesses, and possibly way too many random collections to add to.
A depth year is essentially a solution-based response to us having the tendency to get wrapped in consumerism and even the dark side of ambition. It’s a challenge to take a year to tie loose ends and continue on with the things that you’ve already started yet in a more concentrated and committed way.
For those of us that identify as entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, etc. it’s a way out from the mediocre holes that we’ve dug for ourselves by never really giving an idea, project, or business endeavor the fair shot that it deserved. But, for everyone, it’s an opportunity to shift your mindset away from the level of “shallow” to “immersive”. And this is where the treasures are found.
it’s an opportunity to shift your mindset away from the level of “shallow” to “immersive”
Why & How to Take a Depth Year
While you’re out here trying to do all the things, your greatest self is waiting for you somewhere buried deep beneath all that ‘spreading yourself too thin’ you’ve been doing.
This type of behavior has led to the realness of burn-out for so many of us.
A depth year is a perfect treatment for this.
The way to go about it is fairly simple. You’ll choose something(s) to focus on that you may have abandoned in the past. Then you’ll stay attuned and attentive by taking practical steps towards doing more of the thing each day. You’ll pretty much take all of the energy that you would be giving to multiple things and focus on just the one thing.
Those courses you trailed off at by the third lesson (yes those) scoop them back up and show them some love. The five books on your shelf you’ve gotten halfway through? Crack ‘em open and get to the last word.
In all honesty, a depth year doesn’t even have to stop or start with doing things. It also extends to the way we do things, such as living a certain type of lifestyle (fully not conveniently). Because it’s also a way to connect with abundance, which is found through exploring a thing fully. You never know that a tootsie pop has something in the center unless you get to it (or unless you’ve watched the owl commercial that’s honestly been playing on tv for way too long).
Depth years give you the chance to become fulfilled by getting past the stage of ‘familiarity’ in something or even finding out that it doesn’t fulfill you. But, either way, you’ve got fair enough in it to know for sure. That’s why this theory also supports things like friendships and relationships.
Here are some keys to your depth year journey:
Revisit old hobbies, books, projects, courses, etc.
Give your all to a specific lifestyle
Dedicate time to committing in relationships (romantic & non-romantic)
Don’t acquire any new focuses or stuff (tuck that credit card)
Focus on your thing every day
Some of these will depend on what you actually choose to focus on but the most important part is to dive deep into it.
Start Your Depth Year Now
If you’ve missed a few days off at the beginning of the year that’s fine. The best way to start your depth year is to do it right now- where you stand. Take a quick moment to reflect on the things or people you’d like to get back then make the decision to give them the attention they deserve.
Keep in mind that at the end of the day your depth year comes down to mindset. And you can apply this to all of your habits and decisions you make. Take advantage of being on the fool’s journey and you might end up with the world (see what we did there tarot lovers?).
Looking to join a tribe of intention-setting, magic-making movers and shakers to help you stay focused? Check out our membership details for the Shapeshift Academy!
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