Trevor E. S. Smith | 2020 is here. What now?

New year. New dates. What else will be new in your life?

Some of us have become stuck in a rut.

For others, 2020 brings fear and dread. Unpleasant realities threaten. Still others are bursting with excitement as they look forward to new achievements in 2020.

I want to suggest some adjustments to your mindset that will make 2020 a better year for you.

 

Bucket list clarity

Spend quiet time going through a careful analysis of what is your purpose in this life and what are your core priorities.

What is it that you feel committed to becoming, doing, experiencing before your life on earth ends?

Compile a list and assign priorities to each item. In the final analysis, you should be able to identify a bottom-line, non-negotiable ‘must’ that should give direction to all your thoughts, words and deeds.

 

Expanded horizons

One of the by-products of stress and a harried lifestyle is the tendency to become increasingly inward-looking.

As we grapple with life’s challenges, they tend to consume more and more of our and we risk losing sight of the bigger picture.

Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Some of us are walking with our heads bowed and only have a view of the pavement.

Let 2020 be different as you look beyond your challenges. Dream big in 2020!

Our horizons tend to be influenced by age and our current situation.

Abram was 75 years old when he set out from his homeland.

McDonalds was started by Ray Kroc, when most people his age were retiring.

Soichiro Honda – founder of the Honda Motor Company – left home for Tokyo to look for work at age 15 and without any formal education. He got an apprenticeship in a garage and worked as a mechanic for years.

Cancer survivor Barbara Hillary became one of the oldest people, and the first black woman, to reach the North Pole.

J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter author) was jobless, divorced, penniless, and with a dependent child. She suffered through bouts of depression, eventually signing up for government-assisted welfare. She used an old typewriter and a big idea to become a billionaire.

You are not too old or challenged to achieve more. The incredible does happen. Dare to be the difference and break new ground in 2020.

 

Wasting 2020

One group that is at risk of not experiencing significant change in 2020 are those who are ‘doing all right’. Complacency is an equal partner with lack of vision and laziness as obstacles to excellence.

 

Positive expectations

Let 2020 be different in the level of confidence that you display.

How about a greater sense of faith and assurance in your prayer life, in your decision-making, in your self-talk, and in how you present yourself?

I love the frightfully stark manner in which James addresses prayer:

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt ...” James 1:6 (NIV)

Let us break down psychological, financial, health, relationship, career, and self-esteem barriers in 2020.

 

Spring cleaning

Our lives are cluttered with things that do not add value. Let us welcome 2020 with a spring-cleaning of our minds.

There are thoughts and habits that are weighing us down and limiting our effectiveness. Take time to clear out some of the negative things that have started to define you.

Bad habits and wayward thinking have a way of becoming addictive. Breaking loose from them might be challenging, but break free in 2020!

Shared vision

How do you handle challenges?

Do you prefer to tough it out on your own, or do you seek early support and assistance?

Independent thought and courage are important as we strive for success. At the same time, we are not intended to be islands unto ourselves.

Let 2020 be different because of your increased willingness to share your visions and your burdens. Set up support mechanisms and seek out the input of wise and like-minded individuals who are firmly grounded.

Out in the wilderness, animals move in closely knit packs. This is designed to provide a solid front against the threat of predators. The strategy of the predator has consequently shifted to picking off the strays, the weak and the lame. There is safety in numbers.

As you strive to be the best you can be, take up a secure position in a worthy pack. Never put yourself out of the reach of well-meaning, supportive and firmly grounded individuals.

 

BOTTOM LINE

Let 2020 be a defining period in your life. Dare to envision new horizons. Rally support so as to achieve unprecedented levels. Step up to the next level!

 

OFFER

There was overwhelming response to our offer of a copy of our publication Discerning Listening at no cost. Simply send an email request to info@successwithpeople.org with Discerning Listening as the subject line.

- Trevor E. S. Smith/Success with People Academy. We guide the development of high-performance teams. We are interpersonal relations, group dynamics and performance-enhancement specialists. We provide learning and productivity-enhancement technology solutions. We offer behavioural assessments from Extended DISC on the revolutionary FinxS Platform and e-competency frameworks and e-onboarding solutions in our SPIKE technology package. Email: info@successwithpeople.org or outlook@gleanerjm.com.