What’s your word for 2023?
My guess is that you are up and running by now – the kids have all gone back to school, colleagues are back at work and things are starting to feel pretty normal. Here we go again for another trip around the sun!
How does the idea of “back to normal” make you feel? How satisfied and happy would you be if 2023 were a copy and paste of 2022?
Some of us might love to have a year like the last again. Some might dread it. Most of us would probably like to pick out some parts and throw away the rest. I fall into that category: most parts of my life are pretty good, but there are areas that could be way better. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been reflecting on the year that passed and I came to realize that the areas that went well were the result of consistent attention and effort. The areas where I saw growth in myself were the areas where there was a certain predictable pattern that I could replicate purposefully. Not a blueprint or a recipe (life is too complicated for that), but a certain rhythm that seems to bring out the best in me.
Therefore, my word for 2023 is rhythm. My main aim is going to be to find and maintain an everyday way of life that is challenging, yet sustainable and fulfilling – a type of rhythm that you can tap your foot to, like a favourite song. I want to be stretched, but not to the point of breakdown. I want to grow and evolve and not become dusty and irrelevant. Like running a long distance, I want to find a pace that keeps me in the race but one I can sustain. Rhythm. I like complicated rock music where the rhythm changes often – the best musicians are able to do that. I know some days are going to be fast and others slower. Typically I struggle more when I have to slow down – that’s when I’m forced to learn patience, humility, to trust the process.
And as life goes, a number of things have happened at the start of this year that have slowed me down drastically. I guess it’s time to learn something (again). Nobody gets a free ride!
So if you could pick a theme or a word for the year, what would it be?
Thank you for reading – I’m looking forward to the year. It’s good to be back.
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At PurposeWorks we are all about Making You and Your Work Rock. Our focus is on Organisational Health and Design, Employee Centered Culture, Leadership Development and Performance Coaching. For more information on how we can help you create a work environment that rocks, develop a great team, become an inspiring leader or unlock your personal excellence talk to us at info@purposeworks.co.za.
