Facing a year of change by going back to basics

Happy New Year!??

Over the holidays, I always take a few moments to plot out the year ahead. What are my priorities in each of five categories: family, friends, work, self and giving back? And I start to make plans for how I will?reach those goals. I know it’s a lot—but it helps me to turn the question of whether my new year will be a good one into an emphatic declaration that I get the opportunity to make it so.?

I must admit that this year feels a bit different. For so many of us, what 2024 holds in store is a question we’re a little afraid to answer. A lot has been thrown at us the last few years and I don’t think the world will slow down any time soon (somehow, I’m also turning 50 this year??!). With change coming at us from all directions, how do we plan for the great unknown and intentionally chart our path forward?

When I get stuck on the big questions, what helps me is getting back to the basics—getting really clear on who I am, what my purpose is and how I can stay true to that when the world is moving so quickly around me. For anyone who may find themselves in a similar position this year, I want to share a few ideas as we head into 2024 together.?

• Drill down on your purpose: When my personal life took an unexpected turn in my early thirties, I realized that I wasn’t clear on my purpose and how I wanted to show up in the world. Purpose often feels like something so much bigger than ourselves—but at its core, it’s simple. How do we want to spend the time we’ve been given? It doesn’t have to be really big, and it can change throughout your life. But try to give yourself a north star to attach to. Mine is pretty simple: each day, I try to make at least one person’s life easier or happier. Getting back to my north star helps me put a framework around a year of unknowns.

• Start with right now and shorten the time horizon: Grounding myself back in my purpose is making it easier to see a path emerge—or at least figure out how to take that first step. What can I do today to move in the right direction? And then what can I do tomorrow? As I work my way from day to day, an action plan is beginning to take shape. But I have to remind myself that I don’t need to figure out where I’ll be 12 months from now. Today is enough, and it’s okay to start small.?
• Give yourself some grace: No matter how many times we try to squeeze 25 hours into a day, we’re all limited to 24. This year more than ever, let’s give ourselves the grace to be realistic about what we can accomplish so we can use our time more intentionally. Are all five categories of?life truly of equal priority right now, or can something be put on the back burner? For example, I’m taking a break from exercising and my physical health to spend more time on my mental health?right now. Deciding to divest from something is the easy part—not feeling guilty about it is more difficult. We are harder on ourselves than anyone else in our lives. I’m learning to let that guilt go.
• Plan in pencil: We all know how the best-laid plans of mice and men go…they don’t. So when—not if—we fail, I try to remember that we are granted a fresh start each morning. When planning out this year, I am reminding myself that erasers and delete buttons are there for a reason. Change happens, and it can also help bring about something even better than what we first planned.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Change is scary, and 2024 still feels like a big unknown to me. But going back to basics is helping remind me to embrace the fact that change can also be an opportunity to learn, grow and try new things. As long as our compass remains pointed toward our purpose, we can’t get too far off track.

Happy New Year!