A friend of mine shared something on Facebook that read like a punch in the face.
Well, that’s not new! Plenty of Facebook reads like a punch in the face.
But this was one of those little phrases — callouts, quotes, motivational mantras — that made me gasp.
Once I absorbed it (but let’s be fair, I’m still absorbing it), I immediately thought, “That’s my year end email.”
What did she share?
This: (redaction mine)
This year, I’ve learned how true that is. I’ve learned that I can’t really be half in half out of anything.
I have to be all the way (committed) to THE THING or I have to stop doing THE THING.
It’s really impossible to change and, at the same time, stay committed to crap I know isn’t working.
- Can’t lose weight if ALL I eat is bread and pasta and sit on the couch.
- Can’t get my house fixed up unless I leave. (That’s personal, but true. My house is too small and my business is too busy for me to be there while it is getting fixed.)
- Can’t manage a business unless I pay attention to my people and support them and change what needs to be changed and make hard calls when hard calls need to be made.
- Can’t help my clients unless I listen to them. (Working on this. Thanks, Steph. You’re really good at modeling how to do this.)
- Can’t manage my client accounts properly unless I commit to investing in the infrastructure to support them. No half in half out.
How I’m Applying this in 2020
And you can, too!
Here’s something I turn over and over in my mind a lot.
Instead of saying, “I can’t do XXX.” or “I have to do XXX.” I say, “I don’t do XXX.”
In 2020 (and starting today because why wait) I will say “I do XXXX” and flipping it around to be positive because self-talk in a positive direction really does help.
The story I tell myself is my story. It is at the core of who I am. I’d just as soon it be positive.
Here’s what that looks like.
Formerly: I can’t take weekends off.
Then: I don’t work weekends.
Now: I take weekends off. Have a great week, everyone!
Formerly: “If I’m doing websites, I guess I have to offer XXX service.”
Then: “I don’t offer XXX service.”
Now: “I will build websites with the the following services.”
Formerly: I can’t eat pasta right now.
Then: I don’t eat pasta right now.
Now: I eat mostly vegetables and limit the pasta.
(BUT WHO ARE WE KIDDING? I EAT PASTA! 😉
Of course there’s wiggle room on everything. Nothing’s black and white, but I feel good about moving in this direction.
How can you do this in your life? What can you decide that you do, that you are, to get where you want to be?
Let me be clear, the quote punched me in the face because I realized that I have to remind myself every single day that this is how I want to be. It is not easy, at all. But I think it’s worth it.
Bookmarks of the Year
Here are my favorite things from this year, for you.
That photographer I mentioned, she’s amazing.
My favorite new album. (Duh!)
My favorite book I read this year.
Not sure what book to read? You’ll like this.
My favorite cookies in the whole world.
The project management system that helped me grow my business.
The transcription service that is saving my clients’ lives.
Where I go to find great help with tech, data entry, and more.
My favorite positive morning recording to help me tell myself the story I want to tell myself about myself so I can be my best self.
All of my sincere thank you thank you thank you to my wonderful clients and my fantastic team. You’re my best best thing.
Happy Holidays!
XO
