Much like many other people, I am in the habit of spending the downtime that I enjoy between Christmas and New Year, engaged in a period of self-reflection. What did I enjoy about last year? What did I achieve? What is my current standing in terms of family situation, social groups, career, health, hobbies and various other facets that make up my life? I think about what made me happy and, of course, what may have caused misery or anxiety. I question whether I made mistakes (lets face it – we all do) and whether any good came of them (a bonus) or if i just have to write them off as misguided experiences not to be repeated.
Off the back of this, I start to envisage a newer, better me. The Natalie 2.0 that I might strive to achieve in the coming 365 days. I then analyse what habit changes would need to occur to become this ultimate self. The next step in the process is to establish what I can be arsed to actually do from that long list and I pare it right back.
As recent as a decade ago, I would still craft lengthy lists of New Years Resolutions, all of which would have fallen by the wayside by the third week of January. One upshot of self reflection is recognising your shortcomings. A determined visionary I am not. Nevertheless, a person capable of setting smaller goals and actually achieving them, that’s exactly what I am.
I have a colleague at work who talks regularly to our students about the power of one percent gains. The idea that if you chip away at the small things and make marginal improvements then all of those tiny improvements add up and build to a much greater accomplishment.
This is a notion that I give credence to. To be honest, I have insufficient free time to consider anything more aspirational. So, this year, I have created a miniscule list of goals to achieve that will make me a better, more fulfilled version of myself.
You guessed it! Updating this blog more often is one of them.
Poetry for Dullards 