2023: The Word

As I have done for the past several years, I have chosen a word to set my tone for 2023. Starting in January 2021, I began posting a quote in my Instagram story including a hashtag with my word. It’s a daily reminder of what I want to focus on and how I want to approach the day.

In 2020, the word was “present”. I was focused on being in the moment rather than focusing on things like my phone, things beyond my control or what was not done on my to-do list. This actually served me well when we entered the COVID induced shut downs as I was able to focus on my kids, connecting with friends, and staying close to clients.

In 2021, the word was “forward”. I wanted to move away from 2020 as fast as possible. My long term relationship had ended in late-2020 (not my choice), selling office buildings was a challenge in 2020 given that very few people were going to the office and we were back into another COVID related shut down. To say that I was anxious to move forward is an understatement. Yet, forward I moved.

My 2022 word was “upward”. I had come a long way in 2021 and wanted to continue that progress, but also take it to the next level. While dealing with some major headwinds, I ended 2022 with some major wins highlighted by a move to JLL and the best team in the market. That forward movement has me primed for an amazing future, both professionally and personally.

For 2023, I interviewed a lot of words. I thought about “present” before I realized I had already used it. “Focus” seemed too close. “Balance” and “abundance” were strong candidates while “joy”, “believe” and “more” were also finalists.

As it has many times in my life, music influenced the decision. In 2022, John Mellencamp released a song featuring his friend, Bruce Springsteen, called Wasted Days. Two friends, both in their 70’s, singing about how time may be slipping away and thinking about the inevitable.?

“How many summers still remain?

How many days are lost in vain?

Who’s counting out these last remaining years??

How many minutes do we have here?”

The last line in that verse stuck with me. There are 525,600 minutes in 2023. We all have the same amount. No one has more and no one has less.

How will I spend my time in 2023??

As wisely as I possibly can.?

Every day, I will focus on spending my time intentionally, with thought and care to maximize both my productivity and my joy in each day. Both are important!?

I will be waking up earlier, continuing and expanding my exercise routine, working strategically to grow my business while executing at the highest level, and prioritizing fun with my kids, family, and friends.

“And who on earth is worth our time?

Is there a heart here I can call mine?”

I will spend my time with people who are worth it. People who lift me up both personally and professionally. I want to be inspired and look forward to spending time with people who do so whether it’s in person or otherwise.

I am excited to be in the office with my new team on a daily basis. The collaborative culture at JLL fits my personality and while I miss my friends, I am enjoying the process of making new ones in my new work home.?

My kids remain the greatest source of joy and fun in my life irrespective of the activity or lack thereof. With Avery now in high school, I understand that watching her play sports has a finite timeline. Luke and I love theater and concerts together while Dylan is becoming a better softball player daily and is more excited about our new seats at Yankee Stadium than anyone else. Avery and Luke (still trying to convince Dylan) are seeing their first Bruce show this spring and I can’t wait to experience that with them.?

My family and friends…I have the best tribe there is and I have some big things planned for this year. Just wait!? Bruce is on tour for the first time since 2016 and we have big plans for the Fulfill (formerly FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties) gala…hint, it’s not a gala but something much more fun.?

While I’d like to find, as the song says, “a heart here I can call mine,” and find myself in a meaningful relationship this year, I am taking the pressure off. It will happen when the time is right, no pun intended.?

In 2016, in speaking about The River album, Bruce said, “The River was about time, time slipping away…you walk alongside of not just the people you’ve chosen to live your life with, but you walk alongside of time itself, your own mortality and you realize there’s a limited amount of time to do your work, raise your family, and to try and do something good.”

My word for 2023 is TIME.?

Day by day, minute by minute, maximizing its potential but also understanding its limitations.?

No wasted days.?

Living out loud, doing great work, and being the best version of myself for as many of the 525,600 minutes as possible.

Because it was music inspired, I worked on a playlist of songs with “time” in the title. If you have read this far and would like the link, shoot me a note. Like me, it’s a work in progress, but I am happy to share.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and meaningful 2023 and beyond.?