I’ve always been one who loved the turn of a new year. There is something exhilarating about starting fresh and setting new goals. A clean slate, as I like to think of it. I like to set goals for our family, personal goals for health and wellness, and business goals. But this year, nothing feels “new.” We’re heading into a new year, but things feel pretty much … the same!
For the first time, I feel like I have no direction. I don’t even know what type of goals to set. I almost feel paralyzed by the year we just experienced. Part of it is the lack of excitement for the new year ahead. No vacations to plan. No concerts to attend. No sporting events happening. And the other part is fear of what could happen. It’s almost like PTSD from an entire year. It seems safer to not set goals or make plans. Then there’s no way to be disappointed when they get canceled or can’t happen.
I’ve spent the last few days trying to accept the lack of newness— the lack of direction, and the lack of excitement. I’m working on a perspective shift. Instead of feeling deflated going into the new year, I’m trying to focus my energy on QUALITY over quantity. Instead of setting lofty goals for travel, health gains, and business building, I’m going to set goals for QUALITY TIME!
The one thing that 2020 has taught us is that our tribe is the only thing we can count on, and our tribe may be the only thing we get to see in an entire year! So that’s where we need to “goal” set— goal setting for quality over quantity. This may not include lots of trips or fun adventures around town. But instead, roasting s’mores in the fire pit and playing a family game of hide-and-seek.
I don’t have a lot of wisdom on how to avoid the deflated feeling that’s ringing in 2021. But I can say that your best way to avoid disappointment in your goals is to invest in your people. Cheers to 2021 and low quantity but high quality goals!
