5 Ideas To End This Year On Purpose

Amazing Folks,

How have you been this year?

It's been a whirlwind for me. Having completed my doctorate after a decade-long journey has been an experience.

In addition, to the passing of my amazing grandmother, navigating my mother's health, the death of my mentor Keith Mathews, revisiting my own brain condition, and the conclusion of some friendships. Yet still, I remain grateful for every single growth lesson. You know me ~ super optimistic.

I came across one of my blogs I wrote years ago and thought oh my I should share. However, I added a few extras....

This year is winding down, and soon we'll be saying, Happy New Year 2022.

Did you make any promises to yourself that you were going to accomplish a few things before the year ended? Are you happy with what you’ve accomplished thus far? If you are great, congratulations stay the course. However, for those like me who could use a little push as we come to year-end, continue reading.....

5 Ideas To End This Year On Purpose

1. Take inventory. Have you achieved the position? Did you apply to the program? Did you pay off the credit cards? Are you making the money you desire? Did you start the business? Did you add/drop the weight? Did you publish the book? Did you marry the partner? Regardless of the answer accept where you are, reflect on the past, create a plan to address it, determine what you need to surpass it, and keep moving. As for me, I get it I too made some mistakes this year and well I can't take those back, but what I can do is accept the failures, make note of what I would have done differently, accept the results, and vow to take those lessons into the future.

2. Know when to move on. This is tough in relationships, academics, business, or on a job. However, try this – stand in front of a mirror and ask yourself, “Is what I am holding onto really where I should be? Do I want to take this matter into 2022? Trust me, I hear the noise about not quitting, but to be honest I don't ascribe to it. If it's best for your soul, body, mind, and well-being then consider it. However, only you know - no one else. Truth-be-told it's probably just a pivot towards destiny.

3. Find some ‘motivation’. You need ‘motivation’ to support you when those not-so-good days arise. Determine who or what can provide that motivation and set up a date. Now, this could be a person that brings you joy, a TED Talk, a place, a book, an activity, a song, prayer, a journal, etc. I know one of my former supervisors Eve Moss, who is now a friend took me out for a dinner, and for that, I am forever thankful! It was just a motivational spark I needed to push on to what's next. Whatever that is for you find it and get a refill.

4. Manage your circle. Attorney Joe Feaster, a mentor of mine said and I paraphrase, "We have family, friends, partners, associates, and then there are people we just know." Did you realize folks in your circle are categorized - with love and respect of course? In short, categorize the people in your life or at the very least think about who they are and how much access to you they should get. Determine how much time you give out and under what circumstance because if you don't you will always pour from an empty cup.

5. Take a break. Can you find some time to take a break from the calls, texts, emails, and social media? Trust me this is hard but productivity and inner health is lost if we don't pause at some point. Consider downloading a program on your computer to limit the amount of time you spend online (like Leechblock). Folks have always teased me with love that they know on Sunday's Tascha is offline! Or here we go Tascha is taking her sabbatical time. In fact, this year it will be December 17 - early February. (Note: That time for me is a break from social media, external committees, board seats, as well as clients, etc. Perhaps you can't take a pause from your day job, but I'm sure there are a few things you can not do, during a time frame for 1, 2, or 3 days, or 1, 2, or 3 hours, etc. that works best for you. The key is to start small with a planned mini-sabbatical.) At this point with all that has gone on in the world - it's even more imperative now than ever before ~ pause folks.

So what do you think? Will you apply even one of my tips above to end this year on purpose? I hope so.

All the best,

Dr. Natascha

*The original post was written and published for the Young Professional Networking Newsletter for the National Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, but I decided as we end 2021 - I could use a reminded and a few tweaks, so why not share. :-)

P.S. I highly recommend this book if you know of someone pursuing their doctoral degree!