It's a new year. What are you leaving behind? Carrying forward?
Found inspiration in 2017? Carry it forward!
I want to thank author Rebekah Manley for this provocative end-of-year question: "What are you leaving in 2017?" Answers to her question ranged from 'the past' to 'the pounds' to 'the reflexive I'm sorry's.'
I'm leaving behind mindlessness.
Desk clutter, email clutter, online surfing, emotional reactions to social media fighting - for me, these are symptoms of not making firm decisions or setting firm boundaries, of not owning my own time and how I spend it. Mindlessness means I keep my brain busy but not engaged.
By leaving behind mindlessness, I free time for creative pursuits and true relaxation. I read more books (and I already read A LOT of books). I consciously engage with my world, and that makes my work better and my life better.
What are you leaving behind? What are you carrying forward? (Check below for inspiration on goals/practices you might want to carry forward into the new year.)
- Think about resolutions in a new way with How's 12 Design Leaders Set New Year's Resolutions or Ted's 9 Creative New Year's Resolutions
- Try a new podcast - not while you're working or working out but while you're sitting in a dark room with no other distractions. Here are a few that may be new to you: 25 Podcasts You Need to Listen to in 2018. (I'm loving Dead Pilots Society - Table reads of pilots that didn't make it remind me that sometimes good projects don't get made, but you can always learn from the experience.)
- Make time for your thoughts - especially if you're feeling blocked creatively, anxious or scattered. In Julia Cameron's words, Morning Pages are "like taking a whisk broom the to corners of our consciousness." All you need are a pen or pencil and some paper - no computers allowed!
- Instead of a to-do list, try a ta-da list. Throughout the day, record your accomplishments so you end the day with a sense of achievement.
