I have never really been one to make New Year’s resolutions. However, 2019 has been a year of intention and reflection for me where I have accomplished some personal and professional goals. I now embrace the future with a mindset of endless possibilities and opportunities, and thought I would share a few personal tips as we all get ready to tackle 2020 and the new decade:
Know yourself
Take some time to really learn about yourself. Self-awareness is a gift. Find out how you are wired. Learn what your signature strengths are. Most of us are wholly unaware of what we are pre-wired to do in this world. Don Clifton, the Grandfather of Positive Psychology and the inventor of the Clifton StrengthsFinder once said “Everyone on the planet can do at least one thing better than ten thousand other people. That’s the good news. The bad news? Most people have no idea what that one thing is.”
It’s easy to delude ourselves, or live somebody else’s version of life. People do it all the time. Their mothers convince them they can sing and they believe them and then wind up on YouTube forever after a really embarrassing audition on a reality TV show. That same person who is at best a mediocre singer might be a world-class writer or leader, or the best accountant in history. We all have blind spots. Do everything you can to get an honest assessment. Then, act on it, and see what happens.
Dream a little
When was the last time you really let yourself dream? If you could wave a magic wand over your life and make the changes in 2020 that are necessary to make that come to pass, what changes would you make? Then, ask yourself, what’s stopping me? Most hurdles are not real, but imagined. Kick them over and go to the places you were meant to go to in life.
Re-connect with your “Who”
We should all have a circle of trusted friends and colleagues who we can count on for honest feedback and help anytime we need it. Make a list of your “Who”. Reach out and buy them coffee or lunch sometime and, if they live far away, give them a call. Let them know they are special to you and why.
Ask for Help
Most of us are terrible at this one, but we are all wired to help each other and we are even more inclined to help those we are close to. But, that can’t happen if we don’t ask.
Have fun!
We live in a great country where literally anything is possible. Even in this challenging economy, opportunity is all around us. Have fun, play, enjoy the moment and the journey.
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” (Edith Lovejoy Pierce)If you have any questions, or would simply like to share your ideas, please contact me directly at lisa.watson@bethanyseniors.com.
Kind regards,
— Lisa
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