I’m not a big “resolutions” person but I certainly like to reflect on the things I’ve seen over the past year – whether in my travels, work or even what my friends have shared online.
These are a few that really stuck with me and I hope they are meaningful to you as you face the year ahead:
1. Dust if you Must
Last March I was hiking in New Zealand and came across this little poem. It’s not as though I needed another reason NOT to dust, but I think it was generally a great reminder about not sweating the small stuff and enjoying each day. Sometimes moms get caught up in the stuff that doesn’t really matter. Let’s focus on what does matter.
The little poem ends with: “And when you go, and go you must – you yourself, will make more dust”
2. Be Proud of your Interactions
As often said, “we don’t have to agree on ANYTHING to be kind to each other.” If there is an interaction you’re not proud of, apologize for it, learn from it and do better next time. Then let it go. Obsessing over it is not helpful.
3. Don’t Cling to Mistakes
Whether in business or in your personal life, fail fast and move on. There’s a concept called the “Sunk Cost Fallacy” – it shows that the more invested we are in a bad decision, the more likely it is that we’ll keep investing in it, even when all the signs tell us it’s wrong to do so. Think about continuing to take a lemon car to the mechanic. Are you doing that with your business, relationship, anything else?
4. Don’t Judge
There are a lot of people who do things that I wouldn’t do, but I don’t think I’m a better person because of it. I don’t think less of anyone who makes entirely different choices, even though they would be the wrong choices for me. As soon as I’m perfect, I’ll consider it – but I feel like I could be waiting a while.
5. Starve, brats!
Let’s go into this year remembering that our kids are OK, we don’t need to wait on them hand and foot and we are not here to serve them. Make them do stuff for themselves, don’t keep rescuing them, and give them the opportunity to solve their own problems. Deal?
