It’s a new year — and for many, a fresh start. As our team member CJ said in his last “Mind of Mash” column on our blog, there’s something symbolic about the turning of a new year because it prompts a shift in our mindset. While I agree with the cathartic feeling of a reset, I’ve always believed in continuous improvement.
In the past, I set myself up for failure by picking a date to establish a change in my behavior. I’ve found it’s better to be a work in progress, making every day a chance to get closer to my goals. Some days will be better than others, but each day is a fresh start to build upon.
To stay on a path of improvement, I have two coaches, use a high-performance planner, and take the time to read inspiration or leadership materials for at least 30 minutes each day. I also have a series of mantras, quotes, and sayings that I follow to help me break through the noise of the day. Most of them are not words that I wrote myself; they are snippets of inspiration from my favorite authors that resonate with me. They serve as a reminder of where I should focus my energy. I want to share them with you in case you feel the need for a quick burst of insight to help you navigate the year ahead.
Inspiration for Today, Tomorrow, and All-Year Long
Insight from Greg McKeown, Author of “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” and “Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most”
- Do not do more today than you can completely recover from by tomorrow.
- When you focus on what you lack, you lose what you have. When you focus on what you have, you get what you lack.
- Take one minute to pause.
- What if this were easy?
- If it’s not a clear yes, it’s a clear no.
Insight from Chris Prentiss, Author of “Zen and The Art of Happiness”
- The Universe doesn’t make mistakes.
- Everything that happens to me is the best possible thing that can happen to me.
- Once you learn to look at your problems as “workout situations,” they take on a whole new aspect.
What to Do When Nothing Else Works?
Whenever I’m in doubt of what to do next, I rely on this golden question to steer me in the right direction: What’s in alignment with my values?
The answer to that question helps me to work through tough decisions, challenging situations, and everyday occurrences. I “come back to the center,” as they say.
Depending on the day, I could choose any of these sayings to help me stay focused on what’s important or help me problem-solve. And, when I’m unsure of what to do, I have my values-based safety net to save me.
As you navigate this new year, I hope you find inspiration every day to help you move forward and toward your goals with confidence.
Your turn! What words resonate with you when you need inspiration?
