What are your thoughts about New Year’s resolutions at the start of the year?
A list of things you want to change about yourself? Resolutions to become a better person?
My honest opinion? These resolutions are usually self-judging and not helpful. We give up on them quite easily and are left with a feeling of failure.
What I DO like at the start of each year are aspirations (or call it: goals of the year), which is quite a different approach. In this letter, I zoom in on my business aspirations, which are deeply intertwined with my personal ones.
These big goals I started to formulate 2 years ago. I was 2 years in business and it seemed a nice experiment to write down on paper what I wanted to reach within the following year. So I did. And: I developed the habit of repeating these goals every morning. Out loud, to myself.
I know. It sounds odd. But the effect is real.
By saying these goals out loud every morning, they get my attention. Every day. I keep thinking about them, they stay alive. And because they are so present, I automatically take small actions to reach these goals. Step by step.
Important note: don’t mix up these aspirations with manifestations. The frustrating and unrealistic practices of reciting in the mirror ‘A shitload of money shall enter my bank account’ and assuming it will actually happen. No, none of that.
It’s important to choose real and realistic goals. Goals that are within reach, or just a tiny bit challenging. Goals that take your personal situation into account. Goals you can break up in micro steps.
The mirror is not magical. The microsteps are the actual magic. Your microsteps, your small actions!
Enough talking.
By sharing my 5 aspirations for 2024, I hope to inspire you to set goals as well. And to keep them on top of your mind too, all year long.
Here we go:
1 | My superpower
I don’t always like my funcky brain. It doesn’t allow me to fully participate in all the activities I would like to. But, I need to remind myself that it is also my superpower. It has made me quite fearless. In life and in business. It makes me take decisions without too much hesitation or doubt. I take more risks. Probably because I survived what I went through.
2 | Beginner's mindset
I want to be fully aware of my attitude when new cases, new clients and new partnerships cross my path. It is known that, once you gain some expertise, there is a risk of assuming you know something already. While, if you approach situations with a beginner's mindset, a pair of fresh eyes and ears, you learn a lot.
3 | Resources
I don’t want to be too reluctant to invest my resources. There’s time, there’s energy and there’s money. I don’t want to be held back by thoughts like ‘I don’t have enough time for that’ ‘I don’t have the energy to [sport, learn, travel, meet, ...]’ or ‘I don’t have enough money for that’. Even with a limited amount of time/energy/money, there are ways to achieve your goals.
4 | Chase opportunities
I want to be fully open to new professional adventures. I want to enthusiastically go after opportunities, without putting pressure on myself. I will take chances whenever they pass by.
5 | Relax & have fun
A mantra I will have to repeat to myself a lot: relax & have fun. Often, I’m too rational & overthinking. While sometimes I need to let go and just feel. Or, like my salsa teacher advised me time and again: just relax, Katrijn, have fun!
Our minds are very powerful and can be our biggest supporter. But they’re often our biggest saboteur. So be patient and kind towards yourself.
You will feel like everything is going (too) slow, but eventually, you’ll reach these big goals, one micro step at a time. How do you handle big goals?