5 lessons from a year of Progress – 2019 in review

While I want this website to serve an educational purpose, sometimes the greatest lesson can be found in the personal journey of others. So, here’s my lessons learned from a year of “progress” as my one word, 2019 in review. If you’re unfamiliar with the one word concept, then look for my next post or check out my previous posts. Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links.

For the last 3 years I’ve done vision boards for my word. I hang it over my desk so that each time I come into my office my word is noticeable. Midway though the year I was sick. As I sat on my office couch I found myself looking at the board. I suddenly realized that some of the things were beginning to take shape. Perhaps not in the ways I’d anticipated. Or at the speed I’d hoped. But I reminded myself that some progress is better than no progress. From thereon, each month, I took 10 minutes to sit and look at that vision board. Slowly, I began to unravel what ‘progress’ was teaching me.

Be yourself

When you speak from your authentic voice, you find connection. For so long I resisted sharing my thoughts. Afraid, in case people actually discovered the “real me”, warts and all. A habit to success is to start small. So I began by opening up to my email subscribers. As I became more vulnerable, sharing my thoughts, it began to resonate with people. I soon had people reaching out to me. I gained more connection to the people I wanted to help. We all have stories, experiences and opinions to share. Don’t be upset people unfollow you, or are uninterested in what you share. They aren’t your tribe. You will only find the people you have a connection with, by showing who you truly are.

Authenticity can be scary. Especially for someone with anxiety, fear of judgement, imposter syndrome and self worth issues. This isn’t something you go into lightly. But, when I let myself be vulnerable sharing the inner workings of my brain there was such relief. Now my weekly email ramblings are a form of therapy. Stepping back and looking at 2019 in review, this was a BIG lesson for the year.

Let Sh*t Go

One of the things I shared in my emails was that through overthinking, I ruminate on events. Not typically in an anxious way of things that are going to happen. Instead I ruminate on past events. Things I cannot change. Since sharing this, many women reached out to me to say they dealt with the same thing.

It’s often said that being stuck in the past leads to depression, and I believe there is some truth to that. When this would happen I’d be miserable. Through sharing, meditation and journaling I’ve been able to recognize the patterns and discover techniques to help me snap back and be present. It’s not foolproof, nor am I “fixed” but it’s way better than it was and I’m making progress.

Progress isn’t linear

If you leave room for interpretation vision boards and words can fill in the gaps and surprise you. Maybe even send a few challenges your way. It reminds me of Ganesha, remover of obstacles. Sometimes tricky because he will throw obstacles in your way to test you. Or as a way to push you back on the path you desired.

This year was challenging for my health. I had some dental work done at the beginning of the year. Mid year the genetic disease I have, decided to hit me like a ton of bricks. I had to take time off work, to regroup, recoup and recover. The journey of recovery has been slower than I’d like. With some setbacks along the way. But again it’s a reminder that health is a process, not a destination. Through this I remembered that progress isn’t linear. It’s messy. It has ups and downs.

Habits are key

One of the biggest lessons this year is that routine is essential, but habits are key. I read many books this year but atomic habits” by James Clear was an outlier. Through reading this book I identified key reasons why I wasn’t making progress in some areas of my life. It explains habit stacking. Which, since implementing, has drastically changed my life. Looking at 2019 in review I see so many areas where bad habits let me down, and building good habits really pushed me to grow. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to get more productive, and life hack their way to progress and success. By far, this was the best book I’ve read on productivity in a LONG time.

Motivation comes from within

Inspiration is great, but does not always equal motivation, will power, or action. It has to come from within. There were a few times this year where I got completely unmotivated. When I began tracking why usually it was diet/movement related or lack of positive habits (see above). When I don’t have a goal, I lose motivation very easily. Now I take an hour each week and check in both personally and professionally. It’s my very own CEO meeting. By doing this I’m consistently checking in with my calendar, to-do list, ideas, and most importantly scheduling down time. Realizing that scheduling ‘fun time’ as a way to unwind was a huge breakthrough, and prevents burnout.

Writing this post, 2019 in review, has been interesting to look back on and exciting to move forward from. All these lessons have been the fuel to drive me forward into 2020. I have chosen my new word, made a vision board, and I’m ready to embrace a new decade. Are you?

Questions

• Did you make resolutions for 2019 or choose one word?
• Have you done a 2019 in review exercise?
• What was your biggest lesson in 2019?
• Did you make resolutions for 2019 or choose one word?
• What bad habit do you want to break in 2020?
• What good habit do you want to create?