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?