2023 Will Be a Success If
A friend asked me to complete the following sentence. “2023 will be a success if _______.” (He included “in my opinion” which released pressure.)
New Year’s resolutions are a waste of time. Clarify life’s direction instead. You choose the right course after choosing a destination. Before asking, “What should I do,” ask, “Where do I want to go?”
Long-term destination matters when it impacts daily decisions. Do something – today – that takes you where you want to go. A dull relationship between action and destination disenchants your soul.
Ambiguous goals produce bland results.
A clear destination enables wise decisions.
2023 will be a success if…
#1. If I live a simple life.
Practice contentment.
Eliminate clutter. Don’t buy it if you aren’t going to use it regularly.
Avoid adornments.
Complexity foreshadows catastrophe.
#2. If I enjoy my work.
Some work brings enjoyment while you do it. Other work feels rewarding after it’s done. Both are satisfying.
Labor increases value. The harder you work for something the more satisfying it feels.
Note: Easy isn’t evil. Sometimes easy work delivers disproportionate benefit. A kind word is easy. Noticing others takes humility, but the act of noticing is easy.
Tip: Invest energy in work that returns energy.
#3. If I improve my skills.
Self-improvement is hard work. Great athletes work harder before they compete than average athletes. Think of Michael Phelps or Kobe Bryant.
A few people get away with self-neglect. They succeed on natural talent. You and I don’t have that much talent.
#4. If I love people.
I asked a friend to explain the secret to the good life. He said, “Love everyone you meet.” I’m going with that.
Self-serving kindness is manipulation. Love works to benefit others without demanding return.
How do you respond to, “2023 will be a success if…”
Still curious:
Stop Asking Dangerous Questions Before the New Year
How to Make (and Keep) a New Year’s Resolution
I made a New Year’s resolution 30 years or so ago never to make another New Year’s resolution and I’ve kept it. My point is if whatever you resolve to do (or not do) isn’t important enough to begin on April 12 or October 17 or any other date, it’s unlikely, at least for me, that January 1st will make it any more successful.
For me, 2023 will be successful if I set a firm retirement date (which has been more difficult than I’d imagined) and have a plan in place for how to spend my new found free time.
Congratulations on the opportunity to explore retirement. I think the word ‘retirement’ is unfortunate. Anyone who actually retires doesn’t have long to live. But, seizing opportunities to make choices is wonderful.
People who have retired say, I don’t know how I had time to work. Their lives fill up. The sad part of that is they don’t choose how to use their ‘free’ time. I wish you well as you make those choices.
And I’m with you on resolutions.
….if I add value and have fun!
sounds perfect.
“If I love people” knocked me back in my seat a little today. So simple, yet so insightful and something I needed to read.
Those people in life I gravitate towards are the ones who embody this and for whatever reason I just now realized it. Obviously I need to go be that light that is such a strong pull for me too. Better late than never. Thanks, Dan!
When you hear it you feel like you knew it and I think we’re right. It’s just that we forget some of the best things. I wish you well.
On one hand you know everything and on another you have to figure out what it means.
“New Year’s resolutions are a waste of time.” You almost had me at that one, but once you explained what you really meant I realized we both agree. Most “resolutions” are moonshots IMO and not very effective. But my New Year’s resolutions are my 2023 goals, and just like I set my 2022 goals, they describe my destination more than what I do. That’s what the quarterly goals are for, defining action and motion to get there.
I love what you describe as success. I’m 100% in on 2-4. However, I have a hard time with essentialism (#1). I do love the concept of being happy with what I have, but I do enjoy looking around at pictures and mementos when I’m relaxing and enjoying the past. Does that count as using them?
Thanks for your feedback and reflection, Jeff. I’m with you, near-term goals help me know what to do today. But, it all begins with knowing where we’re going in the first place.
Re: Essentialism. Someone said we spend the first half of life accumulating stuff and the second half getting rid of it. 🙂 For me, pictures of people are essential.
For me, it all boils down to one thing: 2023 will be a success if I manage my calendar more realistically.
That’s a big one, Molly. When we realize that managing our calendar is managing life we have a wake-up call. If I hate my calendar, I hate my life.
2023 will be a success if I stay true to myself and my values.
Another wonderful approach that requires attention. You would think it would be easier to be true to ourselves.
2023 will be a success if clarity stays with me for longer time than the usual.
It’s so easy to get lost in the weeds when there are so many pressing issues. Cheers.
Thanks Dan for your reply. I really do appreciate it.
You are right, problems are some kind of distractor, that does not allow us to keep clarity in this life.
Clarity is vital to achieve goals, where these drive us toward success.