Bring On the New Year!

As we move into the New Year, the phrase “Out with the old, in with the new” comes to mind.  While there are certainly things from 2019 that I want to leave behind, casting off the entirety of last year doesn’t suit me either. I choose a both/and approach: I reflect on what’s passed, choose what I want to bring forward and generate the yet-to-be.

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”   Edith Lovejoy Pierce, poet and pacifist

Below are two of my favorite ways to open the book and begin authoring the New Year.

One Word for 2020

Since 1999, One Word has become a powerful exercise to help people jump-start the New Year and experience their best year yet!  Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, and Jimmy Page have shared this concept with hundreds of thousands of people who have thrown out their New Year’s Resolutions and found success by focusing on just One Word for the year.

In the past, my One Words have been: Patience. Appreciation. Authenticity. This year my One Word is: Service.  To keep this alive during the year, my practice of frequently reflecting on how I’m being of service will keep this commitment alive and meaningful.  The “One Word” concept is simple and powerful. If you’d like to learn more, visit One Word.

 More than One Word

Terry Schmidt, a Strategic Project Design Expert, is best known to me for his wisdom in book,  Strategic Project Management Made Simple.   This year, Terry has put together 2 great lists of questions: one to reflect on last year, one to generate the new year.  Together they can support you in making the difference you desire.

Here are 3 of the 19 questions to reflect back on 2019:

• What new skills or talents did you discover in yourself?
• Who has inspired you?
• What was the biggest risk you took and how did it work out?

Here are 3 of the 20 questions to flex your foresight muscles for 2020:

• What is your top goal for your family?
• How will you help others be successful?
• What new or neglected old hobby would you like to experience?

All of the questions are available on Terry’s LinkedIn profile.

Whatever way you choose to transition between the years, thank you for what you have contributed and for what you will contribute.

Cheers for a wonderful, miraculous New Year!

PS: You do not have to wait for a particular day to declare a “new year.”  You have the power of your voice to declare a new future, any day, any time.