🎉🎉📣I must confess I can be a little slower than others in booting, especially when I am in a reflective state. It amazes me how much people celebrate new year. I noticed the fireworks were on all night and I don’t recall the same level of celebration for Christmas.

I guess for many the new year is an opportunity to start all over, but I wish it were that simple. While I admire the joy and hope I see in so many, January 1st remains the day after December 31st. Anything important not finished the previous year will need to be carried over.

For me, 2021 was the brother of 2020. I can’t say it was better or worse. It was a continuation of everything that began in 2020. The pandemic and its aftermath continued. Everything good and everything sad, continued.

I personally don’t do new year resolutions. I also have no desire to be in competition with anyone, so when I see all those reminders on setting goals at the beginning of the year, I just look past.

Of course, I have plans and goals, hopes and dreams but you see these last 2 years? I am just glad to be alive. I choose not to entertain any form of pressure that attempts to tinker with my mental health.

Instead, I write down my thoughts. I reflect and write down a few things I would like to happen in the coming year.

Since 2020, I realise the extra fragility of us as humans. Here today, gone tomorrow.

If God has spared us to survive 2020 and 2021, surely, there must be a reason and the least we can do is find and fulfil that purpose with focus and intentionality.

These days, I guard my mind and my effort more. I want to spend my energy on the things that matter most, avoiding unnecessary battles. In a world full of distractions, having clarity and focus is like having super powers. It is the difference between surviving and thriving.

So, I am sharing this amazing tool, ‘Year Compass’ which I discovered in 2018. I have just completed mine, so I feel I have more clarity now.

There’s no pressure here at all. The intent is simply to document our intentions which are simply what we want for our lives.

I urge you to try it out yourself. The process will help you reflect on 2021 in a healthy way while propeling you to achieving your 2022 and beyond goals.

The pdf booklet is available via www.yearcompass.com. If you can’t print it out, get a fresh notebook and follow the instructions to complete the exercise. Keep the notebook for reference all through the year, that’s what I do.

From experience, written goals have a higher chance of success. Writing your plans keeps your subconscious mind working on them and you will realise this when you look back at the end of the year and examine how much you achieved.

This is an opportunity to do something positive for yourself and start on the right track. Wishing you a successful year ahead.

My word for the year is ‘Wellness’ and my focus audience will be women. What is your word for the year and what 3 things will you focus on?