KR1: Dreaming after a difficult year

Hi there!

Welcome to KReative! The name of the newsletter is a play on my logo and the fact that I am a creative! :) I look forward to sharing my reflections with you every now and then. Now on to today's post!

We've made it to the end of 2023, which means we are in the season of planning, evaluation, vision boards, name it! If you are in the corporate world or just very ambitious, you are most likely familiar with the phrase 'hit the ground running'.

Everyone is sharing their wins from the past year as well as the challenges they overcame. That might be a bit difficult to deal with, if you have had a difficult 2023. That 'Yes we can' spirit doesn't come as readily as it does for the next person.

If you had a difficult 2023, whether because of loss, mental health challenges, problems at work, family issues or financial struggles, this is for you.

Look again

One of the things I learnt from my friend Gloria Yamson is the concept of Roses, Buds and Thorns. When things are rough, it is easy for that to cloud your vision and impair your judgement. Employing this concept allows you to more objectively assess your year and pick the learnings.

• Roses- for what worked well, highlights, achievements.
• Buds- for what could be an opportunity for growth, things to improve upon.
• Thorns- for what went wrong, unaccomplished goals.

You've had a rough year but you grew your LinkedIn network? That sounds like a win to me. Your mental health took a hit but you rediscovered your love for drawing? That is a bud, something you can improve upon in the coming year.

Try it! Take an hour, sit by yourself and think through your year. You'd be amazed at how much you have glossed over or taken for granted because of the current circumstances.

Give yourself grace

Your year didn't quite pan out like you expected it to, but you are still here. Forgive yourself. Forgive those who let you down. Breathe. Give yourself grace. Wipe your tears, pick the lessons and get ready to build again. Leave 2023 in 2023 and get ready for 2024. That's 365 more opportunities to gather more roses and buds! ;)

Dream again

Picture the you of December 2024.

What do you want to have achieved by then?

Who do you want to be associated with by then?

What do you want people to see when they Google you by then?

Picture it all- the whole nine yards. Professional, with your relationships, health wise, financially, emotionally, all of it.

That will undoubtedly make you smile, and if we are being honest, scare you a bit as well. That is good- we like audacious goals over here!

Now put the actions you need to achieve this and divide them into quarters. (90 days of action!) Don't forget to always track your progress on a regular basis!

There you have it, friend! I hope this was helpful. No matter how difficult 2023 has been, we can dream of and work towards a better 2024, in all aspects! I am rooting for you!

Happy new year in advance!

Your friend,

Maukeni Ribeiro (My friends call me Keni, you should do too!)