Level Up With Leanne: A new kind of resolution
Ahhh, the dawn of 2023, and our social media feeds are filled with post after post about how make better resolutions, and how to goal-set for the new year.
As a prolific goal-setter, these types of blogs fill me with joy, but for reasons I’ll explain, I’m going into 2023 much different than any other year.
Yes, goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely) are created, but given all that’s happened over the past three years, my intentions for 2023 are quite different. In addition to setting tangible goals, I’m looking ahead to a new kind of New Year’s resolution.
Resolution is defined as a “firm decision to do, or not do something.” Over time, we’ve come to think of resolutions as radical “all or nothing” life changes that find us chucking the bathroom scale in February. I’ve been setting the SAME resolutions, year after year, for decades now; and my list likely looks very similar to yours with slight modifications based on age, gender, life season, etc. I’m tired of doing this to myself, writing the same list, over and over again.
Instead, this year, I’m being intentional about resolutions that plan for failure, and revision, and a mental reset, no matter how many resets may be required to master the new habit.
So instead of setting hard-nosed goals and ride-or-die New Year’s promises, I’m resolving to….
Stop saying, “We should go for coffee…” , and start saying, “How does next Wednesday look to grab coffee?”
Take mental health days before I actually need them.
Answer honestly when someone asks, “How are you?”, instead of hiding behind a vailed “Fine, thanks. And you?”
Volunteer on a committee because its mission brings me joy, not because it would look good on a resume.
Exercise more. But only outdoors in fresh air.
Read more. Not because I learn so much from reading, but because reading brings me joy, and is a much needed mental break during the work day.
Shut down my emails for extended periods of time. Nothing is that urgent. I’m not saving lives.
Take Fridays off in the summer and December, so I can enjoy the beach, and enjoy the Christmas lights.
Play more board games and do more puzzles. It's time my brain shifted out of work gear and into play mode.
Call my Dad more. I didn’t call my Mom enough before she died, I can’t make the same mistake with my Dad.
Get on the plane, because another pandemic could hit tomorrow and cancel flights indefinitely.
Not get on the plane, because I’m exhausted and I need to recharge at home with family and friends.
Plan to fail, and invite failure to act as my greatest teacher.
Drink less wine, and find a different way to reward myself for a hard day’s work.
Eat MORE cake, to celebrate my wins and small victories throughout the year, instead of automatically moving on to the next project.
And most importantly…
Extend grace to myself when I fail in doing any of the above.
After 50 years on this planet, I’m still far from perfection, and to think that “this is the year” that perfection leaves me left with nothing else to work on, well, that’s just not going to happen. But I can work on these new kinds of resolutions so that next January, I’m setting some new intentions around my self care, work care, and people care.
Whatever your resolutions may be, allow yourself some room for grace, always. If you’ve decided to look at your 2023 resolutions differently, I’d love to hear what you have planned. Reach out anytime!
To your best year ever,
Leanne
Leanne Calderwood, CMP, is a branding and LinkedIn trainer for the meetings, events, and hospitality industry. She believes our industry is built on experiences, and that experience should start with our professionals.
She serves hospitality professionals and teams through her online courses and consulting services to help guide #eventprofs out of the shadows and into the spotlight using their branding strengths and stories.
When she’s not talking shop, you can find Leanne drinking tea, making jam, and gardening at her home in Kelowna, B.C. with her husband, two teenage sons, and her dog, Farls Barkley.
You can learn more about Leanne over on her blog at www.leannecalderwood.com