Here we are again!  One annual race ending and another about to begin. The past 2 years have challenged us in so many ways. We’ve been forced to rethink and adjust how we live and work, some for the good, some for the bad and some is yet to be determined.

The end of the year is a good time to reflect on the current year and project into the new year. I have a process  that I’ve have engaged in for the past 20 years and it’s been incredibly helpful viewing my life one year at a time, making necessary adjustments to live the life I want and also, seeing my overall journey. I can see where I’ve made decisions to have a better life and I can see where I’ve been stuck.

This year,  I encourage and challenge you to identify the things you need to stop and start doing to have a better life in 2022. The better you are, the better your life will be!

Here’s some food for thought:

STOP…

• STOP  Being so busy that you don’t have quality time for yourself and those you love. Time waits for no one. You can never get time back and you can’t make the time up.
• STOP  Letting your thoughts rule you. Thoughts are powerful and direction setting. You are in control of what you think about. Not every thought deserves your time and energy.
• STOP  Making excuses. Own what you need to own and change what you need to change.
• STOP  Replaying the past. The only thing that can change about the past is your perspective. Opportunities happen in the present and future, not the past.
• STOP  Operating on autopilot. Challenge yourself to have new experiences. Comfort is convenient, but limiting. Being on autopilot hinders your ability to see.
• STOP  Comparing and judging. Everyone you see was created as an original, yet we’ve been socialized to become copies. Be curious and get to know people and let them get to know you. The original is always more interesting than a copy.
• STOP  Being a chameleon. Being a people pleaser may please others, but it chips away at your soul. Be the amazing original you are.  Your diversity is needed!
• STOP  Being easily offended. Develop a thick skin. Save your energy to fight for what’s really important, not the trivial, distracting stuff.
• STOP Running in place. If you only have one life (and you do), are you living the life you want to live? You know. Be intentional about how you want to live.

START…

• START  Viewing everyday as a gift, not a given. Gratitude will change your perspective and your life.
• START  Frequently reassessing your priorities. Check-in with yourself quarterly and adjust accordingly. Consider your life through these lenses: Health, Wealth, Personal, Spiritual, Relationships, Career)
• START  Actively managing the thoughts in your head. Thoughts are powerful and controllable, and managing them will be a daily battle. You can be victorious!
• START  Acknowledging reality, then deciding what you want to do about it. You can’t address or change what you don’t acknowledge.
• START  Managing expectations.  Make sure the expectations you set for yourself and accept from others are realistic and line up with what’s important to YOU.
• START  With yes, before saying no. You never know where an open door will lead you. Be willing to explore and nudge, inch and push yourself out of your comfort zone.
• START  Accepting imperfections (yours and others) as an opportunity to be better and do better. No one is perfect. Give yourself and others grace and space to change.
• START  Facilitating reconciliation everywhere you can. Your words and actions can bring about positive change. Be part of the solution, not the problem. Be a participant, not an observer. You know all the clichés. You are an influencer either way!
• START  Taking the high road – no matter what. It always presents the best view of you.

I’m sure you found something on this list that resonates with you. In 2022, I hope you run your race at the right pace for you. You’ll have hurdles to overcome, potholes to avoid and injuries to contend with. There will be times when you think you can’t go on, but you’ll find the strength to push through. There will also be refresh stations, victories, accomplishments and surprises. And don’t forget, you’ll have your friends and family to cheer you on!  The goal is to finish well.

I hope you  embrace who you are and evolve into who you want to be. I hope you hold on tight and nurture what’s really important to you and don’t take it for granted. I hope you pursue what you want. I hope you make decisions that move you forward in your life journey. 

You have the power to choose a better life!