Hello 2024 … will you be the year of settling?

Like many, 2023 was a year of change for me, both professionally and personally, so by “settling” I mean “to become familiar and to feel happy and confident, to become calmer”. By the end of the year I was exhausted – sapped of motivation, lacking passion and outwardly ornery. This is not me, this is not who I want to be – this is not who I want family, friends and colleagues to see. So I took mid-December until January off to spend quality time with family and get my head right.

Now, don’t get me wrong, quality time does not mean all thoughts fly out my head, quite the opposite, I find in my calmer state of mind of relaxation, fun and the simple nature of stepping back I have wonderful moments of epiphanies (or rather the breaks between the storms). So by 2 January 2024, stepping back into the office I had some renewed excitement, my dispositional optimism is returning and I most importantly I had a plan of action for myself and team to address all the change!

So, again I ask, 2024 … will you be a year of settling?

YES! And I am taking control back. I am defining the things I have control over: what I can change, what I have the power to stop, and what I can prioritize, like:

1. My destiny ~ not letting the force of the unknown define me, my future learning, career trajectory or impact my life but rather the courage to challenge, not accept blindly and try new things that create impact
2. My team’s priorities ~ setting boundaries, ruthlessly prioritizing and spending their time and energy on the projects that create impact for them as an individual, as a team and for the organization

I challenge everyone, regardless of age, career level or role type – what is the one thing you are going to do for yourself to create an environment that is more stable, productive and fun?

I leave you with two quotes that I find very fitting as I start 2024 and where all my thoughts are.

?"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." -- Charles Darwin

"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic." -- Unknown