Illuminating your path in 2022
Happy New Year!
Life these days feels a bit like driving down a country road when it’s dark. Even with your fog lights on, you can see only so far in the future. Each section of the road unfolds as you get closer, but drive that same road in the daytime, and you have a completely different perspective.
Planning for much of anything these days has become a bit of a crapshoot. Like many, I had a few things on my list last year that became apparent as the months went on were not going to happen, no matter how much I wanted them to (such as live speaking events).
As we step into 2022, maybe all of our planning should be around what we can see just a little ahead of us versus mapping out the whole journey. Sure we have an end destination; we have goals and dreams. We know if we continue, we’ll get there, but at this moment, we’re not seeing all of what’s ahead of us, and that’s ok.
Trust that the path will reveal itself to you, adjusting as the year unfolds. It may also be good to put things on the calendar in pencil rather than in pen.
Celebration, Reflection, and Goal Planning
Last month at the Celebration, Reflection, and Goal Planning for 2022 Workshop, I led participants through fun and unconventional goal planning techniques. Thank you to everyone who attended.
One incredibly illuminating exercise was the invitation to look at our goals through the lens of what they want to experience more of in their lives. It could be feeling healthier, more relaxed, or having more family time. Mine is simplicity, but how does simplicity manifest in the real world?
Well, cooking is not my favorite thing, I know I’m not alone here, so when adding healthy eating to my goal list, I knew I had to find a way that honors simplicity if I wanted to succeed. This could be hiring a local company to do meal prep or supporting a local delivery service.
Need a little inspiration? Here’s some of what others shared at the workshop: Balance, Connected, Growth, Discipline, Commitment, and Fearless
“I can and have taught goal setting based on anticipated projections, market demographics, etc., but talking (really forcing) us to think about the woo woo (feeling) part made me rethink everything.”
Your Turn – Take 5 minutes today to think about what you want 2022 to feel like and what you could experience more of in your life. Then when making your goals through that lens, they will have more sticking power as they won’t be taking you away from what is important to you.
Sparks of Wisdom Book Club is Back
Our first book of 2022 is Wolfpack by Abby Wambach. We’ll be circling up on February 16 at 6:30 pm Central. Register here to get the event reminders and book announcements. We will meet every other month after that.
I’ve chosen Wolfpack by Abby Wambach simply for her message on confidence, sisterhood, and empowerment (something I think we all could use more of). It’s witty, inspiring, and filled with reminders to be our authentic selves.
Now more than ever, we see how health is important – what if something this simple helped you get more done in a day while feeling better? I find many of life’s answers when I go outside and simply look up at the trees.
Studies show endless benefits, such as improved sleep. In addition, you can get your daily dose of vitamin D, which is a powerful antioxidant, in 30 minutes or less.
Being outside can also help us improve our productivity and mental health; who couldn’t use a little mental health support after the last two years? Bonus points if you take your copy of Wolfpack into the great outdoors.
Go outside and play – How Playing Outside Impacts Your Well-Being – TedTalk
More Brilliant Tools, Technology & People
MileIQ – makes recording your mileage so effortless.
Microloans make a big difference – I’ve supported Kiva since 2012. For the price of a cup of coffee, you can make a big difference in the life and business of a borrower.
Why is sitting so bad for us? This TED Talk explains and offers solutions.
They say practice makes perfect – and while I’ve written a lot, I will always need help. Grammarly is like having an editor and proofreader on-demand to polish up what you write in emails, documents, and even social media.
When working on a project that requires focus, I highly recommend this app by Brain.FM. Pop on your headphones, block out distractions, and complete your project in record time.
If you grew up reading Dr. Suess’s books as a kid, you’d love this video.
Let’s Keep in Touch
If you’ve made it this far, I hope you’ll stay on this journey; I’ve committed to finding more ways to support your goals and visions throughout 2022, in whatever way they show up for you or contact me.
Best wishes,
Michelle Spalding
Business Alchemist | Author