If you’ve been following me for long, you know that I’m all about playing bigger in life, at work, and in our communities. As we step into 2024, I’m inviting you to “up your game” and co-create the personal and professional life you have always wanted.
Here are five actionable ways to make that happen.
Make some decisions about how you want 2024 to end. That’s right, how you want it to end…. Not a long to-do list of what you think you can control. If you get too focused on the “how,” you will likely get off track. You will chase shiny objects and get off course instead of staying focused on the bigger picture.
Create a mantra for what this new year is about for you. Something that can signal you to stay in the flow. Mantras can serve to keep you focused and remind you to be more intentional. Here are a few of my favorite mantras:
- Being present is my present.
- Hustle beats talent when talent doesn’t hustle.
- You may not be the best, but you can outwork anyone else (compliments of my dad, as told to me in the third grade)
- Health, wealth, happiness, and prosperity in abundance (I may or may not have that tattooed on my back)
- And my favorite…Best Possible Outcome
Level up your Personal Board of Directors. Every year, I make a list of the people that I want to intentionally invite into a deeper relationship for the sole purpose of making me think and play bigger. I choose people who inspire me in some way or know something that I’m trying to learn. I can honestly tell you that many of my strategic relationships have short-cut my learning and have also turned out to be some of my closest friends.
Do a digital reset. In 2023, I realized that my social media scrolling was completely out of hand. As much as I enjoy seeing what everyone is doing, I realized I had become addicted to “the scroll.” I think what pushed me over the edge was knowing I had become lazy about things that were important to me. Instead of reading a good book, watching the Masterclass series that I love, or listening to uplifting and educational podcasts, I sat just mindlessly scrolling. Where I used to be better at calling and checking in on friends, I just looked at their newsfeeds and didn’t make the time to pick up the phone or grab coffee. I wish I could say I completely quit, but I didn’t. I have gotten off a few apps for now and will re-evaluate in the new year. For the few I’m still on, I set an alarm on my phone. 5 minutes at a time twice a day, and that’s it. I’m happier and more productive. Maybe you should try it too?
Decide to be happy. In the end, it really is a decision. I know that is hard for some people, and I’m not minimizing anyone’s mental health struggles. I’m simply advocating to be more mindful every day and control the things you can, and let go of the things you can’t. I wake up every morning and run through the things I’m grateful for. I’ve never been able to be grateful and mad at the same time. It’s a hack for sure….and one I highly recommend.
