Most people will take this week to re-evaluate priorities and think about what they want for themselves and their career in the year to come.
Most will do so without really digging deep to understand what makes them most fulfilled or excited about each day.
And, many people will never take a look at this “re-evaluation” at any other time during the next year. I find this puzzling.
There are some basic thought processes you can use to re-evaluate your life, career, and hobbies. Think about how you spend your day so you can make the year to come the best one yet.
Here’s how to take stock of what you want to keep and enhance in the year to come:
1. Ask yourself what is absolutely critical that you must keep and even make better. Is this a non-negotiable? Yes? Then keep it and fine tune it. No? Reduce it. Eliminate it. Outsource it. Replace it.
2. Next, you can think about what you did as a kid that always made you smile. Are you able to bring that back in your life? For me, it is cycling. I started racing bikes at the age of 15 and did so through my mid-20s. When I’m back on my bike, all seems better with the world. What is it for you?
3. Who do you need in your life that has been absent? Have you lost connection with an important family member? Did you used to stay connected to a particular friend, and now do not? Think about who brought (or currently brings) you the most joy. Reach out and make that connection stronger.
4. Do you still want the “stuff” that you thought you needed? Yesterday, I went to the store and saw a beautiful Ferrari in the parking lot. It was the color and model I had dreamed about for myself for a long time. As I walked passed it, I no longer had those feelings. It was great. I recently sold my Porsche 911 and bought a slightly used (and kinda cool) SUV. I decided to be practical and have a car I can put my bikes in to get back some of that fun I’d been missing. It’s not settling. It is a re-evaluation of priorities. It was a good decision.
5. What season of life are you in? I was once told that in the first half of our life we collect, and in the second part of our life, we edit. I’m finding this to be true. I did a lot of “collecting” in the first half of my life. I definitely had a lot of fun with toys, houses, cars, etc. However, I realize now I also missed out on travel, quality time with my family and just relaxing. I’ve been working hard on my company for 27 or so years. I’m not complaining. It’s been fun. I just know I should have had a bit more balance along the way. If you are in the first half of your life, my advice to you is that you should take risks while being smart. Invest early and often. Don’t worry about impressing people so much. In most cases they don’t really care. If it takes something special to impress them, they may not be the best choice for a friend.
6. Simple is most often better. I know I’ve spoken about this in the past a few times. That’s because it’s important. As you re-evaluate your life and business for the next year, think in terms of keeping it simple. I use the term “fewer moving parts”. There is less to maintain and breakdown.
This is a strange example: At one point, I owned an office building, a mountain resort, a few homes….. and it was nuts. The measurement of the “moving parts” for me was that I had 17 toilets that needed cleaning and maintenance. Yes, I always had help. However, I needed to find the help, pay the help and supply the help with the resources to do the maintenance. This “toilet example” is literally watching your time and money go down the drain.
Of course, there are exceptions, yet you most often do best when you keep things simple. How can you simplify every single aspect of your life right now…. or at least in the next couple of weeks?
That’s it for now.
Take action.
I’m here to help.
JSE
https://johnspencerellis.com
PS: If you want to simplify your life by taking it all online for more freedom, you will want to see http://onlineexpertempire.
PPS: For the guidance, coaching and support you need to make this coming year even better, join my coaching program. http://
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