#setyourintentions for 2021
Well, It’s that time of year again. The time where we can reflect on all we have learnt from the year that’s closing and when everyone you know begins to act like the protective parent of a teenage daughter, demanding to hear your intentions.
I myself am excited to say farewell to 2020, it’s been a crazy ride, but I find myself addressing 2021 with a different approach then usual. If you are like me you might love the sense of renewal that comes with January 1st. A blank slate for the next 365 days with endless possibilities. However, this year as I sat creating my “resolutions” for the year ahead I was faced with a sense of dread. A feeling that made me look at my past resolutions, my history of falling flat on my face when creating lofty expectations for myself and my inability to complete them more times than not. In 2020 I had opted to create goals that aligned with my professional life. I was tired of demeaning myself over my appearance, and wanted to create a goal that mattered. Something that could impact my career, positively impact my family and help my clients accomplish their goals for the year ahead.
January 2020, was going to be my year to shine! I had begun creating an online course for my marketing business, I was building a client base that was really loyal and was thoroughly enjoying my work. My family life was amazing! My oldest in SK, our middle son preparing for a fall start in JK but attending daycare, a newborn who was just over 2 months old, and a husband who was so supportive of my visions for my career that I felt like all the stars were aligning.
“SCREECH!!!!….”( … I'm almost positive that this is the actual sound my plans made as they came crashing down upon me with the arrival of COVID 19.) Enter Global Pandemic, Exit all of my resolutions for 2020. All of my professional goals were sidelined when schools were cancelled for the remainder of the year, I now had 3 children at home to juggle, a full client roster to maintain, a VERY busy household to keep clean and anxiety that was off the charts. Oh, and of course, I had already announced to all of my colleagues, friends, family and the world of social media that I was working on launching this amazing new program, so I felt like a massive failure when I could not deliver it. Failure is not something most of us handle well, at least I certainly don’t.
The remainder of the year continued to throw me curve balls, my husband and I opted to withdraw our children from the school board for the 2020/2021 academic year and I began homeschooling them. I am not a teacher and it is super challenging on my best days without attempting to keep the house clean and pack my clients work into the pockets of my day. I watched my window for launching my course close this year. I spread myself too thin as a way to maintain my commitments, but we made it through.
I did not accomplish my goals that I set for 2020, but I learnt a lot about myself and here are some amazing takeaways I wanted to share. I learnt that it’s ok to put things on the back burner, I did not get to launch my course but no one besides myself was impacted by it. The world did not come crashing down. My colleagues, family and friends supported me and I have a fresh perspective on how I will offer courses once I have the time to get them online. I learnt who my real supporters are, I became an active member in a women's networking group that amazes me everyday. The way these ladies lift each other up helped me understand the importance of having empowered women in my life. I identified who my true friends are, the ones who drive me to be a better person, the ones that we are doing everything to stay in touch, support each other and be understanding of each other during these crazy times.
I learnt a lot about my children this year.. They are amazing little humans who I am learning from daily. I am teaching them the basic skills required for school like reading, writing and math but they are teaching me patience, creativity and love.I am so grateful for the time that I have gained with them during this year, despite the days where I feel like pulling all of my hair out, the good is outweighing the bad.
I learnt that a messy house won't kill me (but in all honesty, falling behind on the laundry might …)I know that I am more relaxed and focused when my home is clean, but I can let the little stuff go more now. I think that 2020 has taught me the importance of slowing down and living more in the moment and I hope that I can continue to apply that to 2021.
My good friend reached out to me earlier this week to ask me to participate in a social media campaign she is creating for her work. They have asked their clients to take a photograph of themselves holding a paper with their intentions for 2021 on it. I was not sure what I would write, but agreed to participate. I decided to select two smaller intentions for this year, ones that I believe will help me enrich my life both personally and professionally. They don’t involve BIG launches, or losing weight or things that make me feel like I am playing a game of keeping up with the “Robinsons” but ones that I hope will make 2021 a great success. Intention 1: “To Connect with like-valued women in business who I enjoy working with and feel supported by”. Intention 2: “To find the positive in difficult times.”
If you are feeling the pressure to create a resolution this year, dont do it because everyone on Facebook or Instagram is doing it. I urge you to stay away from resolutions and instead set yourself a daily intention. Something that can enrich your life. When we share our vision for the new year with our friends and family we are doing it to help us find accountability. Instead, be accountable to yourself. Choose something that you can do daily that will have a broader impact than just in the year to come. Find something that speaks to you and motivates you to be the very best version of yourself. My wish to all of you reading this for 2021 is that you have a healthy year that leaves you feeling satisfied and grateful for all you have and all that you accomplish. Happy New Year!
The Mommy Exec.