The key to a successful year ahead: resiliency at work

 

Happy New Year! I wager it’s safe to say the vast majority of the world shared a collective sigh of relief as we bid adieu to all things 2020. And now, as we enter 2021 with cautious optimism, we must gird ourselves with something called resilience. But before I dive into today’s post, I have a favor to ask: If you find my ramblings encouraging and/or thought-provoking, I invite you to sign up to follow my blog—if you aren’t already—by visiting https://alwaysthewritetime.wordpress.com/contact-me/. This ensures you receive updates about my new website and eNewsletter (under construction), and opportunities for free giveaways. Now let’s talk about the key to a successful year ahead: practicing resilience, or the ability to bounce back when knocked down; to “pivot” or change course. Here’s a peek into resiliency at work in my life: I wrote five short stories before selling a first. And when Christmas “plan A” failed, 25 letters still remained in the alphabet.

What does resilience look like to you?

Image source: http://www.betterup.com. 

The big picture: sacrificing on the front end

Last Sunday morning, I woke up and declared aloud: “I’m not hiking today”—which was a pretty big deal, since anyone who knows me also knows a trek in the mountains provides me an opportunity to decompress, to recharge and to reconnect with my Maker on a deeper level. However, if past experience taught me anything, it required I consider the plans I hoped to accomplish before lights out that evening. In this particular case, it meant sacrifice on the front end to set myself up for success on the tail end. I spent roughly three hours (factoring in typical commute and trail choice) playing catch up: paperwork, goal setting and household chores. Plus, I prepared a hearty split pea soup for dinner. The pièce de résistance? A strong plan sketched out for the week, month and year ahead. And the bonus: enough time for a wild and crazy Trivial Pursuit game night.

What sacrifice have you made on the front end to realize a successful tail end?

Visualize it to become it

I teeter on the edge—close to abandoning my passion once again. But in the quiet of morning—that fuzzy space when daybreak balances in the silence—my husband’s body presses against mine, his arm draped over me. Sheets askew, strips of sunlight strain to penetrate the shutter seams. And his mouth brushes my hair as he speaks: I haven’t seen you write lately. It isn’t how these words string together to form meaning. It’s what he doesn’t say: I notice you; there’s something missing. As I often do with my hopes—my feelings—I tamp them down; the ashes turn cold from neglect. Yet even though I pretend I’m okay, that I’m happy, soon the need to seek solitude and inspiration along the mountain trails will become a tangible draw. But it’s now that I see a glimmer among the dust motes: the spark of resolve as it ignites. I visualize myself as a successful writer. A published novelist. I’m back.

What do you need to visualize?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

How to live the life of your dreams

[Image credit: Stuart Miles]

 

I tend to gravitate toward articles and advice on how to be happy, to get what I want—to be successful at life. Don’t misunderstand—I’ve experienced happiness. I’ve also obtained a few things I want out of life, as well as achieved modest success. But, there’s a part of me I describe as restless, a feeling of inner turmoil. The knowledge there is more. So I keep shopping around, trying on new ideas, mixing and matching until the perfect ensemble comes together and I’ll be living the life of my dreams Someday. Here are five simple and commonsense steps, paraphrased from mindbodygreen.com, to get started: 1) make it a goal to actively change whatever you don’t like about your life; 2) find a way to make your goal happen; 3) surround yourself with positive people; 4) practice gratitude today—look for things that are right in your life—while actively trying to change things and 5) don’t be lazy!

Are you living the life of your dreams?

Preparing for a fabulous new year

[Image credit: chanpipat]

You may currently have all your resolutions, goals and “to dos” put in place for the New Year.  However, those lists may just as well be words on paper — rather than an action plan toward fulfilling dreams or simply navigating life’s choppy waters — if you don’t prepare yourself mentally.  It’s your mind that will either talk you out of it, or keep you on track.  Here are five tips to help you plan for a happy, successful and (hopefully) life-changing 2013:

1. Begin each day with expectation that something wonderful is going to happen.
2. Plan and prioritize.  If it moves you closer to your highest purpose in life, do it first.
3. Let go of your results.  Remember, control the things you can.
4. Turn off background TV or other distractions that pull your mind off track.  Focus on the job at hand.
5. End each day with gratitude.  Write down at least one wonderful thing that happened.

How are you preparing for a fabulous New Year?