Reflections (2023)

As we come to the end of another year, it’s time to reflect on 2023.

For some reason, I initially felt disappointed because I didn’t think I’d made much progress. However, having reviewed my original goals for the year, I’ve reached most of them. Either way, I’m much further ahead than I would have been without goals.

In 2024, my focus is shifting more toward progress and contentment over deadlines. I’ve been pushing myself hard at work, which has affected my personal life. I’ve been in a state of overwhelm at various points.

To get out of overwhelm, I had some help from my mentor. Essentially, my thinking was chaotic, which manifested in a chaotic workspace and computer desktop and this fed on itself. After making time to reorganise everything, my thoughts are clearer.

I realised how important it is to focus on a small number of things. I had to cut back again.

It took stripping back most of what I do and a lot of help from my mentor for 18 months to become stable in my job. Now, my focus is stabilising my personal life regarding my goals.

I’m getting tired of ‘the grind’. People who are always grinding don’t seem content with their lifestyle. I know it’s not making me happy. Once you reach the goal, you’ll always want more anyway. Life’s short and I want to spend more time enjoying it and be at peace.

If you can’t find joy in the day-to-day, what am I doing this for? Even if the end goal is a worthy cause that serves others rather than a yacht, with my history of mental health, I’m not sure I’ll make it on this current trajectory. Even if I achieve it despite grinding, it’s not the model I would want others to follow.

Slow and steady wins the race—it’s time to strip back and slow down in my personal life. It’s time to focus on appreciating small moments each day while still making daily progress toward the big-picture goals.

Win the day—as we move into 2024, I’ll be prioritising taking a small step toward my main goal which requires creating (rather than consuming) as the first thing I do each day.

Consistency over time compounds—once I’ve won the day, I can read or listen to audiobooks (consuming). If I achieve little else, I’ll have done the most important thing. It feels amazing when I do this, especially when it’s consistent.

Throughout each day, I plan to take time to enjoy a coffee, take in the view of the mountains, talk to someone I care about, and soak in the joy of my family. I plan to take time to live life!

It’s funny I forgot all this. I’ve found myself coming back to old lessons from a different perspective this year. It’s good to review!

How do you want your life to look in 2024?
What can you do to make that happen?

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Merry Christmas everyone! I wish you a year ahead that’s full of joy and peace.

Love JR