There Is Nothing Magical About January 1st

Do you notice that we always seem to think things will be better in the future? In a different time, or a different place? On social media memes about how 2020 was awful and how 2021 is going to be “my year.” Christmas ornaments abound showing things like a dumpster fire with “2020.”  

Let me tell you folks, there is nothing magical about January 1. The Winter Fairy isn’t going to fall from the sky with the white snow and tap you on the head so 2021 is full of wealth, happiness, and joy.  

Now I know that logically you know this. But deep inside we keep telling ourselves stories like this and those stories unconsciously impact our daily actions. Those daily actions manifest our future. What happens to you is no accident. It is the cumulation of small choices you make at each moment each day. 

So, what does this all mean anyway? You have the power at every moment to CHOOSE the way you interpret a situation. You have the power to CHOOSE the actions to take (or not take) in response to that interpretation.  

Nothing magically is going to happen on January 1. So right now, at this very moment, make the CHOICE to “looks things in the face and see things as they are” and not create a judgement about them.  

PS – If you’re interested in training your mind to think this way more often, check out “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday and “The Practicing Stoic” by Ward Farnsworth. And don’t get down on yourself if you find yourself falling into your old ways. The titles of these books contain “daily” and “practice” for a reason! 

LEIA SHILOBOD – CEO of InTech Solutions, author of Cyber Warfare: Protecting Your Business From Total Annihilation and The Three Indisputable Rules Every Manufacturer Must Know Before Purchasing Any IT Product or Service. As a cyber security advisor, Leia speaks frequently at venues such as Harvard, IUP, Catalyst Connection, and industry events for IT, Accounting, and Manufacturing. Also known as the “IT Princess of Power,” Leia saves mid-market firms from hackers and keeps them compliant by delivering enterprise-class IT security solutions that would otherwise be cost prohibitive.