Are you as surprised as I am at how fast this past year went?
I look back and think it seemed to be done and over with in the blink of an eye! How did that happen?
Did your year go the way you wanted it to? Are you happy with how you used your time?
My first reaction is to feel that I could have used my time more efficiently, but yet, when I reflect back, I see that a lot got done. How did so much happen?
For one thing, we moved! Not only my own home but also the Morning Ag Clips’ office. Who knew when I opened the page for 2018 and started to write that I would be looking at things from a totally different landscape by the end of the year? Honestly, it wasn’t even on my radar on December 31, 2017.
What was on my radar was focus. My intent, on January 1, 2018, was to do everything with a stronger degree of focus than I had ever done before. I focused on business decisions, I focused on finances, I focused on home improvements and, in March, I even focused on moving, like a laser beam. I was driven to stay focused.
During the thick of our “focus” this summer, there was a time when the kids and I didn’t know which way was up — or down for that matter. We were halfway between somewhere and nowhere — a very challenging place to be. But we stuck together and just stayed focused on the end goals, and, miraculously, it all fell into place.
Last week, when Christmas had passed and I was trying my hardest not to do too much work before the new year, I met with a young person just getting ready to embark on a career. He was looking to me for some guidance on internships and connections and encouragement as to which way to go, or not to go.
My advice to him was to really focus on what he wanted his life to look like. It’s amazing the power you have once you start clearly visualizing it. The visions evolve and may change (which is perfectly normal and fine), but, before you know it, opportunities start presenting themselves that lead you in places that help to get you where you want to go.
Sometimes the path is a little odd, or crooked, or you may hit a pothole or two, but I have yet to follow a course that I wasn’t happy to have been on.
But what to do if you are unsure of what you want or where you want to go? Well, just dig deep and go day by day. When you wake up, think: if I could do, or be anywhere today, what would I be doing? How would I want to feel? Who do I want to be with? And before you know it, that vision will start to take shape and you will be on your way.
Don’t be afraid to dream in 2019. Don’t be afraid to feel, to laugh, to stretch your wings, to think in terms of “I can,” instead of “if only.”
Focus. You are in charge, steer your ship. We all have our lemons, but there is only one thing stopping you from making them into lemonade, and that’s yourself.
Time isn’t standing still, and there is only one way to go in my book, and that is … straight ahead.
Are you ready?
Hold on tight — no, I take that back. Lead the way … because THIS year is coming with you!
With love and best wishes for 2019!
Kate