As we reach the end of 2022, it’s good to do a bit of reflection. This holiday season, I want to give you a boost of encouragement and a simple reminder as we all gear up for 2023.
For me, the end of the year is always a bittersweet time.
It’s sweet because of the holidays, the time spent with loved ones and the hope that comes with all the potential of the new year. At the same time, it’s easy to feel bad about the imperfections – about the missed goals, and the slip-ups both big and small (and “big” by the way, is relative – it’s usually not as bad as we think).
I’m sure you’ve got plenty of your own thoughts going through your mind at this time. Which is why I want to share a motivational holiday message with you today, giving you some reminders and some encouragement as we all prepare to step into 2023.
Think back to the beginning of 2022 and where you’ve come since then.
You came up with strategies to improve your processes; you worked hard to keep both your teams and clients happy while juggling different challenges and making the right priorities. You reached some goals and maybe fell short of a few others. What matters most is that you were in a state of continuous improvement.
As the months go by and as things get hectic, it’s easy to lose sight of the forest for the trees.
That’s why I’m inviting you to hit “pause” for just a moment now, and try to remember the reason behind all the choices you made and the things you accomplished (or didn’t accomplish).
Why did you create those goals?
Why did you choose to go for those management initiatives?
Why did you commit to continually improve, rather than settle for “good enough”? (That’s not a rhetorical question, by the way.)
As we get bogged down in the details of daily and weekly tasks, it’s easy to forget our “why” – and that’s totally normal.
In fact, I wouldn’t even say it’s a bad thing when we get distracted at times…
Just as long as we also come back full circle to our “why” at some point.
Trust me, I’m more easily distracted than just about anyone I know (just ask my husband, Hristo!). I can speak to the importance of staying focused and remembering your “why” because I know from experience how much harder it is when you don’t remember.
I’m a believer in keeping things simple.
This new year, I invite you to do just one thing:
Remember your “why.”
When you keep things simple, you’re taking a step back and making a clear, focused effort at improvement.
And that’s what continuous improvement looks like: one small, simple step at a time.
Remember your “why,” and remember to honor it (and keep it simple!).
I wish you a Merry Christmas and happy, productive new year!
Sonya
