As we progress in life, we often move from one stage to another, there is always fear of the unknown.
It feels comfortable to be in your current state as you have mastered it. I always need to remind myself how I have transitioned to a new chapter in my life in the past and it turned out fine.
Change and transitions are complex, however, how we go about the difference is our choice to take it on with optimism or pessimism.
It’s been three months into 2023, take some time to reflect on what meaningful progress you’ve made in different areas of your life.
I realized for myself in just a few months I have made a few quality of life improvements just by shifting my perspective on some things.
I have taken some calculated risks and faced my fears to help me unlock my potential. It’s those moments in our daily lives that help define us either to keep us in fear or help us move forward. Let’s rise to the challenge and make the most of those defining moments as they come up throughout the year.
Day after day we are all working on projects and individual tasks. Every so often there comes a sweet reward of finishing a project. It is a good feeling knowing how much we put in. Oftentimes you learn more about yourself by going through the challenges and growing as a person.
It is easy to commit to many things, are we still aligned on those new year’s goals? How can we follow through and get that sweet reward of finishing a task/project if we are bogged down by overcommitting?
Going through school there is a structured path to follow and after that, you are on your own. The freedom is great and now a few years out of school I realize the importance of creating your own structure and path so that I too can follow through and get that sweet reward of finishing the task/project.
Sometimes we get used to things and get stuck in a rut. I feel it is important to try new things and be exposed to new ideas and places. It keeps you thinking and changes your perspective.
Whether it be short-term goals or long-term goals, it is important to keep persevering and growing. Changing your approach and using an iterative process is key.
With a new month starting of a new year, look for something new to try or change up how you do one thing. The other day I realized I had been making coffee a set way, I learned a new way and it changed my daily experience. Small changes add up, keep it fresh!
In life, we are always evolving and learning. I feel it is the nature of life. I am realizing this more and more through life experiences. I now know how much there is to learn and grow about.
Oftentimes I feel that the things we think we have so much experience in are in fact the places where by keeping an open mind we can learn so much. In terms of driving, we often drive without thinking too much but in terms of the critical skills of accelerating, braking, and turning there are so many ways we can improve these skills. This helps us become safer on the road and improves our confidence.
I recently enrolled in an ice skating class, I have been ice skating for many years and after enrolling in a class, I feel I am getting better in every way. I think that is a lesson of life. To never think you know enough, to be open-minded, humble, and to have a beginner’s mindset.
A master had to begin at some time and spend time working on honing those skills. On my trip to Japan, everyone I met took so much pride and dedication in their craft for every job. That is where I learned what matters is how you are doing things. Two people can do the same task, but if one is doing the task and learning how to do it better vs the other just doing the task to get it done.
I also notice those who once were beginners and now masters start to rest on their laurels. You see this often in sports and in life. They achieved success in the past and keep thinking about the glory days. In order to get the most out of life, it is better to adopt a beginner’s mindset.
I strive to become better in all areas of my life. I realize there is no end goal just a series of checks and benchmarks along the way.
There is always more to learn and grow, however, that does not mean we should stop trying to become better altogether. I often find it better to reflect and see how far you have come and what lessons can be learned.
Being calm and feeling confident to take on adversity is a great feeling when you know you are trying your best in all areas of your life. Deep down I feel we all know what we should do to move forward. Sometimes it is really hard to proceed forward and make those tough decisions. If we don’t, life just pauses in that area of our lives and holds us back.
Improving your quality of life and quality of thoughts work in tandem. It takes diligent effort in both to achieve the balance that we all so desire.
Every year I realize how much I don’t know and I love it. Every year I want to become calmer and kinder. It’s all a work in progress.
Things don’t go as planned, we never know what may come. Having a good idea of where you want to go is great. Planning the details and expecting everything to work out is not good.
The biggest lesson I learned was to do everything I can do that is within my control. After I learned that it was liberating. No more thinking about what if etc. Knowing deep down that you did everything you could is amazing because then there are no regrets.
I remember my first introduction to personal development was when volunteering at a library and finding the book Getting Things Done. That was a big productivity boost. Then over the years of travelling, reading more life-changing books, life experience, and accepting personal responsibility helped me to grow as an individual.
The next step up for me in evaluating my life was breaking it into different areas and striving for balance in them. There comes a sense of inner contentment knowing that you are making tangible progress in these different areas. I am tracking things, making goals, giving it all, and not taking myself so seriously. It is the feeling that I am doing my best and taking it one day at a time. I am enjoying today, grateful for now and the past, as well as feeling optimistic about the future.
In our own life, we can build positive momentum, it all happens because of small positive actions consistently. I love the expression, “One brick at a time”. It starts with our habits, a small change over a lifetime can have profound effects.
Just like with investing and compound interest, our habits play a big part in the life we live. Here are some small wins we can practice daily:
From my personal experience, these small habit changes among many others make a big difference and you won’t see the positive benefits right away but over time you will.
I have realized that life sometimes works as a game. You are at your level and slowly progress. A clear example of this is in school as you progress through the various grades. There is a set path and criteria to easily track your progress.
This becomes more abstract as you progress in life, everyone is on their own journey and there is no set path or criteria. Ultimately we decide that. However, if you choose not to progress and stay in the same situation you can. There is nothing wrong with this but it presents a unique personal responsibility to realize that until you overcome this unique circumstance in front of you, you cannot progress to the next level.
There is no final level to reach, there is only more personal responsibility to take. When you look back at your life you realize what you are doing today, you could have never thought you could do it previously. I am fascinated by this concept and try to work on building my responsibility and accountability standards in my life.
The new year is here!
Let’s take some time today to reflect on the past year and then release the past. This could be a symbolic gesture to write out our thoughts and burn the paper or to meditate to let it go.
It’s time now to embrace the new and improve ourselves slowly but surely. Maybe there are some thought patterns that no longer serve us or some habits that can be replaced with better ones.
Think about the person you are becoming and how you have evolved these past few years. Now envision the life you want in the upcoming years and this year take the action required to set yourself up for success.
When we have a vision for ourselves it often propels us forward. Each challenge forges our character for the better. This new year is a time for self-evaluation at a high level to ensure we are on the best path.
My recommendation this year is to bring more joy to your life in the ordinary moments of life. I am talking about those simple pleasures, calling a loved one, spending time in nature, laughing more, eating your favourite snack, etc. The big happy events do happen but not as often and during those times in between, we should try to have more simple happy moments consistently.
I wish you all a Happy New Year! 🎉