Hello, joyful community! How’s your year going?
Have you spent time thinking about the fact that we’re halfway done with 2023?
When I first realized this, a little surge of panic rose in my chest as I reviewed the habits and goals I set at the start of the year that I haven’t yet mastered:
Meditate 4 times a week (it’s been more like 1 time a month lately)
Practice guitar daily for 20 minutes (I have too many hobbies!)
Sign up for a French book club (those polyglots in the group scare me)
Call my close friends once a month (I’m guilty but they know I love them)
And so on…
Isn’t it funny how all our aspirations and goals seem completely doable when we have 365 days ahead of us to make them happen?
Alas, the year is long and the days are short and in a blink of an eye, we have only 174 days left to incorporate new habits and accomplish big dreams before 2023 is GONE.
When I realized how many days we have left in the year, I immediately wanted to plan every month and week that is left to make the most of my time. I stopped myself, as I recognized what was happening:
The sneaky sabotaging parts of my brain wanted to immediately focus on what was lacking - and how I could make up for it - instead of recognizing what I’d already created this year.
So, here’s what I’m NOT going to ask you to think about:
“What excited you at the start of 2023 that you haven’t yet accomplished?”
I’m also NOT going to coach or advise you on how to go after your big dreams in the time that remains of the year (that’s for another post).
Instead, I’m going to ask you to do two things:
Grab a journal or piece of paper and set a timer for three minutes. Then, write down everything you can think of that is worthy of celebrating from the last 192 days of 2023. For example:
What have you learned that you didn’t know in 2022 about yourself, your work, or life in general?
Which existing or new relationship has enriched your life this year?
What money did you bring in and how did you do it?
What project(s) have you started or expanded?
What new or improved skill did you grow?
How many books have you read?
Where have you traveled to?
How have you given (money, time, etc.) to worthy causes?
How have you taken care of yourself?
Once you’ve written down anything big or small that is worthy of celebrating, move into the second step:
Classify your wins into Ps and Us. “P” stands for “Planned” and “U” stands for “Unplanned” or “Unexpected”.
Of all your Unexpected Wins of 2023, which one surprises you the most?
I chuckled when I reviewed my initial list of 2023 goals because some don’t reflect who I’ve become in the last six months.
My most surprising UNEXPECTED win of 2023 has been to become a runner.
I specifically remember thinking in January that yoga and hiking would be my go-to exercises for the year because running would hurt my knees.
In March, I felt a nagging call to run a little bit. In April, I ran a little bit more, and by June, I ran my first 5k. Yesterday, I completed my second race.
We have a tremendous capacity to change in a matter of months. Don’t let the self-sabotaging parts of your brain tell you that you haven’t done “enough” this year, especially if your initial goals have been replaced by unexpected ones.
You’ve already grown and accomplished so much in the last 192 days, especially, in UNEXPECTED ways.
Of all your unexpected wins, which one surprises you the most (like running has for me)?
Share your most UNEXPECTED WIN of 2023 so far with me!
Here’s how to do it:
Leave a comment in this newsletter post
Hit ‘reply’ and email me directly (I read every note)
Share your unexpected wins on social media and tag me (I’m on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and experimenting with Threads).
Let’s keep the celebration going!
I’d love it if you shared this post with someone you know. Tell them about your unexpected wins of the year so far and have them share theirs with you.
Let’s celebrate each other and what we’ve created so far in 2023!
P.S. I can help you create many more unexpected wins!
1:1 coaching: I help people build joyful lives and careers through big dreams and tiny, consistent actions. Let’s start with a quick 15-minute call.
Company workshops and speaking: I offer company workshops and conference keynotes on topics related to confidence, team building, equity and inclusion, negotiation, and navigating change. I’ve worked with companies like Accenture, Ecolab, HEI Hotels & Resorts, the University of Minnesota, and others. Get in touch to explore how I can help your team.