The Recipe I’m Trying for 2023
The start of the year always has an exciting and fresh feel, a blank slate.
There are many ways to set yourself up for success in the new year. You can set goals, and action plans, assign KPIs, create a vision board, and set your intentions.
One technique I have never tried before is choosing a Word of the Year or words for the new year.
The concept is simple. Instead of being inundated with intense goals and action plans that might fall apart by February, you only pick a word or a few words that will guide you throughout the year. These words are like a guiding light you can always return to if you veer yourself off the path.
How I found my words of the year
Reflecting back on the last few years, I thought about what worked for me and what didn’t work for me.
The last few years have thrown me (and others) into limbo. It’s been hard to find balance and adapt to the many changes.
While so many are still “returning to normal,” the concept of normal has also shifted.
While there has been growth in my life, it has been hard to show anything tangible that proves that I have grown and made progress.
I know that I’m taking better care of myself and being more present and intentional with my life and work. But sometimes I feel like I have nothing to show for it. I am constantly chasing after something new.
There have been highs and lows. But finally, there have been more and more moments of clarity that help me see that there is a path forward, albeit still a foggy path.
Curiosity has helped me grow.
I like to think of how I spent my time over the as a hands-on university.
After leaving the corporate world, I’ve dabbled in many “side hustles,” hoping to turn one into a full-time hustle.
I moved countries because it was a better opportunity for my husband’s career.
And then I dabbled back into corporate to see if I wanted to dip my toes into that pool again.
Throughout this time, I was always curious. Chasing ideas, analyzing what was working, and how I felt about what I saw in this world of online writing and content. But I have to admit I never stuck with a ball long enough to see results.
Curiosity allows us to think about old things in new ways. Or it can enable us to open up to new ideas and fresh perspectives rather than trying the same old things.
With changing trends and platforms, especially in the creator space, I’m constantly trying to find the following new things. But the reality is that a lot has stayed the same. When it comes to content, you need to capture attention, deliver your message, and keep them coming back. It’s been the same since the days of radios to cable TV. So, in reality, nothing has changed.
This revelation has given me permission to slow down. And stick with things long enough to hopefully see results.
There is value in consistency.
In my personal life, I have become more consistent at taking care of myself in the last little while. Daily walks, journaling and meditation now feel like a seamless part of my life.
I have improved several aspects of my life, including a better relationship with myself.
Sometimes it was through daily routines, like trying to take a walk outside every day or forcing myself to do a 5-minute meditation.
These daily habits are great; they helped me to prove to myself that I can do it. But when I forget about it for a day or two, it’s always harder to get back into it.
Enter Consistency. Sometimes it’s not about the daily practice but the consistency.
To build a positive habit, it’s better to do something every other day for 20 days rather than 10 days on and 10 days off. Consistency is key.
Without consistency, our daily habits could be counterproductive, leaving us stuck in the same routines without real progress. Consistency helps us stay focused on our goals and encourages us to make positive changes that will lead to long-term success.
Curiosity without consistency is like having ideas without execution.
This year is about bringing the prongs of success together. Being consistent, yet continuing to be curious.
Curiosity and consistency are two essential elements to achieving success.
Curiosity drives us to explore new ideas and opportunities, while consistency allows us to stay focused and build on our successes over time.
With curiosity, we can open ourselves up to new experiences. At the same time, consistency allows us to stay on track and build momentum.
I hope that together, curiosity and consistency will help me find new solutions, break old habits, and make progress while still trying new things.
How I plan to be curious yet consistent.
Being more mindful of how I spend my time.
Learning about the thing and then doing the thing all take time and resources. I’ll be reviewing my weeks to see if I’m balancing learning new things and then executing the ideas they’ve inspired.
Having better processes to get things done
A big part of understanding myself has been giving myself personal systems. These help me stay on top of the things that need to get done without getting overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the things that need to be done.
While not everyone needs fancy tools, the trio – Notion, Google Calendar and TickTick – have slowly started jiving, and they will soon become my superteam.
It all comes down to staying accountable to myself.
I am the only one who really cares about the process of how I get there. I have to stay accountable to myself. At the end of the day, its about creating a life that I want to live.