New Year - Now What?

I started 2023 with a fire under me, full of new intentions, goals and ambitions. I’m starting 2024 sick in bed still, with no energy or stamina, ready to officially declare this new year the year of the sloth. 🦥

Last year, I kept choosing courage, responding to what showed up, resolutely running from one item on my to-do list to the next, putting a lot of pressure on myself in the process - all to find ways to do more of what I love.

I spent it watching in delight synchronicities unfold, experiencing new people - some world renown, new places, life-changing events, moments of pride, making an #impact through #coaching, and actively working to improve my most important job - my parenting.

It was an amazing and magical year - until it wasn’t. Some things went as quickly as they came leaving me depleted, in doubt, sad and questioning who I am at my core, wondering if I got it all wrong, or what I am doing all this for.

I topped off the year with illness, which I am still recovering from. It forced me to finally get off the hamster wheel that I had been spinning in, and sit in reflection while others feel the fires of new year's resolutions ignite under them once more. 🔥

As I sit waiting for my body to find its stamina again, I’m reminded that:  

💡Too much of anything is not a good thing - even and especially when it comes to your passions

💡Be discerning with all things by playing it forward - some choices may have more far-reaching implications than you realize

💡Take care of your health - when that is not present, there is not much left to give to anyone

💡You should be in charge of your to-do list rather than it in charge of you. The brief dopamine rush from checking another thing off is not worth it in the end if it leads to an empty tank.

When I worked in product development, after reaching a milestone, our team conducted a #retrospective. It’s a simple and lovely practice that holds many benefits. We reflected on the work we accomplished and determined what we can:

🎉Celebrate - your work is not finished until you do this. If you accomplish something and don’t celebrate it’s like winning a match and then quickly running off the field. I have yet to see a team do that. Have you? Celebrate the big and the small, the significant and the insignificant because it’s fuel, it’s motivation, it’s pride and it’s wisdom!

🚦Continue - reflect on the processes, mindsets and behaviors that are working well, taking you forward and worthy of continuing. They are the building blocks of your success.

🚦Start - determine what new habits, activities and choices need to be put into place to help you be your best yet.

🚦Stop - determine the sabotaging mindsets, habits, beliefs and actions that while promising a return only drain the tank. 🪫

This year I am opting out of #resolutions. I am setting the intention that: More Is Less, committing to still choose #courage, and to conduct a quarterly retrospective on myself and my work.

What about you? ✨