“True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.”?
Good morning, and welcome to your life of adventure in 2023!?
If you’re anything like me, by this time in January you are waking to confront those inconvenient life complexities, challenges and realities, all temporarily side-lined while in holiday mode, now anxiously clawing at your best laid plans... practically jeering at your grand vision for 2023!
For those of us who feel caught in the cross-hairs of multiple, often competing life priorities, January can feel messy. Our sense of renewed purpose and best intention now in crisis. If this time of year has you feeling slightly uncomfortable, that’s a good thing, and you’re not alone. As the saying goes, “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.”?
At our core we are designed to thrive on vision, empathy, presence, and bravery. Those traits can get over-activated with the social pressures and allure of “New Year’s Resolutions.” We can’t help but imagine the best for ourselves and those we care most about. Anything is possible! We need only join the rousing fray of voices claiming “I swear this time, starting in January, my life will be different!”?
- False Urgency.?Really, why is January 1st?any better than January 21st, May 12th?or October 3rd?to let go of a self-limiting habit, double-down on a winning practice, or step into something boldly exciting??
- False Priority.??Lose 10lbs. Run a 10k. Change careers. Manage time better. Eat healthier. Find my purpose. More date nights. Less stress. Better sex. More presence. Work-life balance.?Sound familiar??It’s easy to latch onto socially popular and externally validated goals without slowing down to explore and prioritize our own deepest wants and growth needs.?
- False Readiness.?If your holiday had you in the emotionally-charged terrain of family reunions, busily traveling to/from, hosting events, preparing meals, indulging generously in food and drink, purchasing, giving and receiving presents, there’s a good bet you’re entering January in need of ... a holiday! Despite the welcomed move back to normality, you’re probably not in a good position to make any bold changes actually stick.?
Instead of succumbing to these common detours, let’s keep our life of adventure quietly and persistently moving forward. Here are?5 simple and winning practices?as you ease into 2023:?
- Ride the wave of change.?January may be just another month, but it also marks real transition – a new calendar year; changing seasons; a new business year. Before February?hits,?book a solo retreat?to intentionally?notice and be with the change around you. Get off-the-grid. Walk in nature. Take a road trip. Spend a day or night at a cabin, cottage or B&B. Call time-out to mentally recap the year by reviewing your 2022 photos, calendar or journal. What changes do you see in yourself, in those around you, and in the world at large? What’s different about your world today??
- Embrace growth as a practice.?Growth, whether in leadership, business, athletics, parenting or marriage is not an idea, single goal, or discreet event, but rather a diligent practice.?Start each day?with a single planned growth step, and finish by acknowledging growth steps taken. You’ll be amazed how quickly your momentum builds, and results follow.?
- Let yourself off the “New Year Resolution” marketing hook.?Grandiose?goals come with infinite reasons to say no. In the end, all progress boils down to a series of small steps. What’s?one new daily commitment, the smaller the better, representing a simple change in your life which you will adhere to for the remainder of January? Then build on that, or pick a new one each month.?Balance those big, bold statements for?right-brain creativity. Draw a picture of one simple change you’ll make daily. What’s a morning song that activates the new energy you want? If your 2023 was a book or movie title, what would the title be? If your forehead was a billboard, what would people read??
- Start by letting go, and saying no.?Sure, it’s exciting to jump towards all the new things. But acting as if we have unlimited time, emotional energy, physical capacity, financial means and support is pure fantasy.?Carefully review the year that was – people you were surrounded with; places you inhabited; practices you followed; thoughts and beliefs that guided you. Which ones drained your energy, or left stuck on infinite repeat while the world evolved around you? Write these down, post them visibly, and?commit to leaving them in the past. Create open, free space to be with the people, places, practices, thoughts and beliefs that leave you feeling alive, purposeful and growing.??
- Growth can’t be outsourced.?I’m frequently asked, “How do I hold myself accountable?” Simple: “Start by not asking or expecting anyone else to be accountable for you.” There is no more important life skill than?keeping your word to yourself. Document your intentions. Publicize your goals. Ask for help. Monitor progress. Adapt as you learn. Celebrate small wins. At the end of the day we are all left with results or excuses. If you fully own the journey, you get to fully own the reward.?
Wishing you continued growth, lasting impact and pure enjoyment of the life you most want.?
