New Year: Arbitrary or Awesome?

“For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice.” - T.S. Eliot

The past week or two I’ve seen the same thing I always see around this time each year:

‘Coaches’ getting on their high horse about how New Year’s resolutions are for schmucks, and you can make changes whenever you want… you don’t need a New Year!

(You’ve probably already seen me post about it, but I’m going to keep on because I think it’s important to address…)

The thing is, they are only half correct.

Of course you can make changes whenever you want.

But a New Year, despite the Gregorian calendar being relatively arbitrary, brings a feeling of fresh starts. And this feeling is super powerful when harnessed correctly.

Not only that, but the winter solstice is far from arbitrary when it comes to our individual and collective consciousness (and biology) - that really is a natural marker of new beginnings, positivity for the future, and the return of the light.

So next time you see a coach looking down their nose and fiddling with their monocle, while muttering about ‘you peasants and your resolutions’ (possible exaggeration), smile to yourself and make the positive changes you want to make in your life anyway.

Yes, you can change things any time you feel like it.

So if you want to change things as we enter a New Year, bloody do it!

I certainly will be.

(But do it right, with a realistic and sustainable plan of action of course)

In the news this week...

Read the article from the British Psychological Society here.

This is probably going to be a contentious one, because of course there are potential issues on all sides.

But the fact remains, that the disruption caused by this pandemic needs to be addressed, ideally with rational discourse rather than emotional venting.

(There is a place for emotional venting, of course, but not when it comes to refining a strategy or developing public policy)

“Given the demonstrated association between engagement in education and children’s mental wellbeing, it is imperative that educators find ways of overcoming problems encountered during online education to prevent a greater proportion of young people requiring mental health support and intervention.” - Professor Nicola Gray

I’m sure we haven’t seen the end of remote learning, despite its shortcomings it has been an invaluable tool to keep some kind of engagement when in-person was not feasible. And this will not be the last pandemic of our lifetimes, that much is clear.

Educators already have a lot on their plates when it comes to this adjustment, so we must do all we can as parents (and members of society who benefit from a good education system) to support and improve engagement for our young people.

If we don’t, the outcomes for our local, national and international communities will be dire.

Shout outs...

Shout out to Sam Griffiths this week, for being an excellent shining example of what fitness and wellbeing philosophy should look like. And I’m not just saying that because we agree on lots of things ??

Sam challenges me to think differently, even though our values are almost entirely aligned. Go check him out, and learn about ‘building your minimum’ - and keep your eyes (ears?) peeled for the podcast episode with our conversation coming very soon...

Recent and upcoming work...

Another exciting partnership on the horizon, this time with Mental Health In Business.

MHIB is headed up by the wonderful Claire Russell, and does some fantastic work in the world of mental health and wellbeing.

Earlier this year I did my Mental Health First Aid training with these folks, and it was absolutely top drawer.

I am very excited to be delivering some workshops for them from spring 2022 onwards, on the topics of burnout, fitness and resilience.

Last week's podcast...

In case you missed last week’s podcast, I was chatting to Occupational Therapist and NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellow, Chris Lovegrove.

We spoke at length about compassion in leadership, as well as touching on his research around anxiety in those living with Parkinson’s, and the wisdom of Marvel movies.

Go have a listen!

What's coming up...

I will be taking some time off over the festive period, which is a major novelty for me!

Since entering the fitness industry almost a decade ago, New Year has been a busy time - lots of people ready and willing to make changes, and therefore making myself available to help them.

But since I moved into more work with organisations this year, the next couple of weeks will be super quiet with less people in the office.

So I'm joining them!

This Friday, when the kids break up, I will be shutting down for a couple of weeks.

I will even be deleting LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter (the only socials I use) from my phone until January 3rd.

I will be coming back fully refreshed, and ready to do my best work for my clients in Q1. ??

That being said, I will no doubt be doing some writing and planning, but it will be on my terms.

Will you be taking time off for the holidays, or working through?

Neither is right or wrong, I'm just curious...

In case you were wondering... (an insight into my week)

1. Our building work has been completed (well, the interior has) and we are now back in our bedroom! We only have a small place as it is, so losing the use of an entire room was a challenge... but it was so worth it. As we move things back in, it's an opportunity to filter our junk and make sure we only have stuff we actually need/want in there... rather than the usual crap which builds up over the years ??
2. Fingers are well-and-truly crossed for Christmas to go ahead as planned, without a rehash of last years restrictions. How are you feeling about all that? Playing it super-safe, no cares in the world, or somewhere in between?
3. I have sorted through a bunch of paperwork and found a whole load of receipts and docs which I don't need any more... the shredder just won't handle the volume of work (it's a huge box full), so I can feel a solstice bonfire coming on ?????? will you be doing anything to mark the winter solstice? I think I prefer it to Christmas and New Year to be honest!

And finally...

This will be my last newsletter of 2021, with the next edition due to be published on January 5th

With that in mind, my biggest ask is for you to share this far and wide!

In 2022 I will be bringing more content to help you improve your own fitness and wellbeing, plus a bunch of stuff to help you support your team and other people around you.

2022 is all about leadership, wellbeing, balance, and contentment.

Please help me spread the word by hitting the share button below ???? and sending this newsletter to anyone who pops into your mind as being keen to level up in these areas.

As always, drop me a comment below ???? to let me know your thoughts on anything I've shared in this newsletter, and let's start a conversation!

I look forward to chatting ??

See you in 2022! ??

Big love,