my commitment to me

Every year we put off changing habits and behaviors and what do we do??We either give ourselves a goal that we already do to some degree but aren't happy with results or we watch it disappear by the time Spring arrives.

This year I decided no more resolutions. I refuse to allow this one day to be "the" day; 2022 is giving me 365 chances to focus on my commitment to me. This year, I am choosing to commit to a handful of behavior changes that will benefit both my personal and professional life.

First, I commit to reflect every day on the good (even great, some days) 24 hours provided to me, my family, and friends. By doing so, I will be led not by regret, but by inspiration to strive for more while appreciating the present.

As stated by Margaret J.?Wheatley, "Without?reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.”

Second, I will allow myself to reset and recharge because working from home does not make burnout less likely. While it’s recognized that breaks are essential, and work-life balance is something to strive for, the pressure to be productive often interferes with the best-laid plans to recharge. Some of us are very lucky in that we love what we do for work, and while this is amazing, it is still important to create a divide between time spent working and time spent recharging. Remember, the responsibility to put yourself first and find time to recharge is on you -- only you.

Third, is to be intentional. ?For me, this means having an intentional focus about your work life that's committed,?purposeful, and deliberate. If you want to be intentional you have permission not to barter, compromise, nor blur the lines…but saying ‘no’ and sticking to it.

We live in a culture where we don’t ever want to miss out on anything, so we overload every corner of our lives until we explode with deadlines, social engagements, personal commitments, health goals, and the list goes on and on.

When you say ‘no’ to a new project, client, or event, you are aligning yourself closer to your goals and dreams.

Fourth, I demand discipline?because this will make me more accountable, healthier and happier. In general, leaders are required to juggle responsibilities. These responsibilities include managing others, delegating work, engaging in problem solving or conflict resolution, and working on their own tasks and goals. With competing priorities, it can be difficult to find an unbroken block of time to focus on any given task, so I would ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I setting myself goals for what I want to accomplish each day?
• Do I take breaks throughout the day?
• Have I taken steps to limit the distractions and temptations that hinder my progress?
• Do I give myself a reasonable amount of time to complete tasks?
• Am I effectively delegating work and decision-making where possible?

Lastly, I will hold Faith firmly in my heart and push Fear to my feet. Faith is an expression of hope for something better which is more than a wish, it is closer to a belief, but not quite because a belief is rooted in the mind, and faith is based in the heart. Ultimately, your faith - your trust - in yourself and others influence daily decisions. These are acts of change, not a restless resolution.

Cheers to health, happiness, and?prosperity?in 2022!