JC's Corner

Ready or not, 2021 will soon be here!

The question that is forefront in my mind is, what will be different in 2021?

As I think back to this time last year, I am reminded that I had just returned from a once-in-a lifetime trip to Africa. I was over the moon with excitement about the coming year and decade… a clean slate, a blank canvass … what a wonderful time to be alive!

I was loud (and probably obnoxious) when I told my friends over and over again that I didn’t want to be sitting on the couch watching the ball drop; or even worse, to be asleep as the countdown clock welcomed in the new year.

We talked about the wonderful opportunities that a new decade could bring. Would there be great scientific, medical or technological breakthroughs? What wonderful travel destinations and experiences might we have in the next ten years?

On the personal side,

What would I be learning?

• How would I pivot my business to ensure that I was meeting the needs of the client?
• How could I build a network of people who would bring out the best in me?
• I was open, ready and willing! I didn’t want to waste a single minute!

We made New Year’s Eve plans for dinner and dancing at a great resort. I searched for the right accessories for my outfit because I wanted to remember everything about where I was, what I was wearing and most of all the great friends who would be surrounding me as we ushered in this new decade.  We spent several days together before New Year’s Eve laughing, cooking together, hanging out in the hot tub and putting jigsaw puzzles together.

New Year’s Eve did not disappoint. The venue and the food were over the top. The music was great. We danced, hugged and professed high expectations for what the new decade would bring. Best of all – being surrounded by real friends … it couldn’t get any better.

I spent New Year’s Day finalizing my 2020 goals, as well as one or two new year’s resolutions. My vision board, in clear alignment with my goals beckoned me each time I looked at it. I had no idea what would soon be in store or how important that vision board would be.

January, February and early March were all I had hoped for … personal growth, new clients, good health, challenging myself to push the limits and enjoy every step of the journey. And then… Covid struck.

The purpose of this blog is not to talk about Covid or how it has negatively impacted us as individuals and as a society. Lots of people, including me have been doing that on a regular basis for the past several months.

Instead, I’d like to focus on a few of the good things that happened in 2020.   

Many of those hopes and dreams I had for 2020 came true. Scientific, medical, and technological breakthroughs materialized even though for reasons and in ways I could not have anticipated.  New business opportunities arose out of necessity. Babies were conceived, and simpler ways of living resurfaced. We had a greater awareness that the little things in life were actually the important things in life. We realized the world is smaller than we thought and that we are in it together.

I learned how to Zoom, shifted to virtual coaching, am consulting online instead of face-to-face, and supporting my clients as they learned to navigate uncharted waters. I focused on meditation, movement and meals. Although travel plans fell by the wayside, I knew it was temporary and will resurface at a future date.

What do you want 2021 to be for you?

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’ve heard me talk about the importance of mindset and circle of control. If you’re a first-time reader, welcome and be sure to check out those blogs under JC’s Corner on my website, jmclark.com.

2021 IS coming… ready or not.  We are about to have a new year filled with 365 days, 525,600 minutes to do whatever we choose to do. Yes, I know we have obligations, like work, kids, and taking care of day-to-day stuff.

The question and challenge is WHAT is the best use of the time we have left after we take care of the must do’s.

Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the time available. I have found this to be true not only for work but activities in general. Watching television can fill up an entire evening or day. If you were to ask me what I just watched, half of the time I couldn’t even tell you. The key is to be deliberate and intentional with our time.

What can you do to ensure that you’re ready for 2021 and making it count?

1. Reflect on the past just long enough to learn from it.
   Looking back on 2020, what “sucked” up your time?
   Was it binge-watching television, social media, playing video games?
   What do you need to turn loose of that no longer serves you?
2. Be clear on what’s really important to you.
   Is it having quality time with family and friends? Travelling? Self-care? Preparing for, or taking the next step in your career?
3. Ensure you’re in alignment.
   Are you clear about your life’s mission? Your values? Passion? How do these fit together and are you allocating time to them?
4. Start with the End in Mind.
   Make time within the next 24 hours to fast forward to December 2021. Looking back over the year 2021, write a letter to yourself describing all the great things you’ve learned, accomplished, and experienced.
   Who did you spend time with?
   What did you accomplish?
   What are you most proud of?
   What made your heart sing?
5. Create your Roadmap to Success.
   Key elements include:
   What you want to do, why you want to do it (what motivates you – is it intrinsic or extrinsic)?
   When and how much time do you want to spend doing it?
   How will you measure success and who can you count on to help you on your journey? (Accountability partners are always good to have.)
   What might get in your way, and what steps can you take to eliminate potential obstacles? If you fall off the wagon, what would a get-back-on-track plan look like?
6. Share your plan.
   The probability of achieving your goals increases when you share them with others. Sharing goals out loud with another person actually brings them to life, and hearing your own words can provide you with clarity.

 

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