Happy 2021! (And Good Riddance2020!)
If you made a new year's resolution for 2021 on January 1st of this year, I have some bad news for you: there are only eight days until "Quitter's Day", the day (according to this article) by which most people have already given up on their New Year's Resolutions.
But fear not: there's another way.
Last year, I wrote about how I stopped making resolutions several years ago and instead began choosing "themes" for the year ahead. If keeping your resolutions has proven problematic in the past, choosing a theme for the year might be something to try.
This year, I've chosen four theme words. Four may seem like a lot, but I see them as interrelated.
FOCUS, "to direct one's attention or efforts", is my first key theme for 2021. I have always been one to throw myself into many different things. But trying to do everything is the easiest way to ensure that nothing gets done. So in 2021, I will do a better job of prioritizing my time and attention on the ideas, activities, and initiatives most likely to have the biggest positive impact on my life. I'm also going to explore new ways to get into the zone faster and stay there longer.
ACTUALIZE is defined as, "to make actual or real; turn into action or fact." My head is full of big ideas... but ideas sitting in my head, or my sketchbook, or my "ideas folder" don't benefit anyone in any way. In 2021, I will concentrate on bringing the best of those ideas to life.
THRIVE, my third theme for 2021, has two definitions. The first is, "to prosper; be fortunate or successful." The second is, "to grow or develop vigorously; flourish". I chose the word based on the second meaning, which is much more within my sphere of control... although I have always attributed the success and prosperity I've had in the past to the fact that I tend to make personal growth a top priority.
And the fourth theme for 2021? That would be APPRECIATE: in 2021, I will remind myself to be thankful for the people I have in my life (including you, dear reader!) and the things I get to enjoy every day.
Of course... if I manage to Focus, Actualize, and Thrive, I won't be surprised if the other definition of "appreciate" happens too.
- dp
P.S. To my newsletter subscribers: from now on, each email you receive may contain multiple posts. This one does!
That's because, over the holiday break, I spent several long days taking all of the newsletters I created over the past year and using them as the foundation for my new blog; doing so means that my writing is more accessible (since people can find me and my thoughts via search) and permanent (because they have a home outside of MailChimp).
There are some formatting limitations to this approach (you may have noticed the very dull subject line or the fact that the spacing between each sentence is just a little bit off, for example), but I think the trade-off will be worth it. As always, feedback is appreciated: just hit "reply".