It’s that time of year again, when many of us commit to a New Year’s resolution that may or may not be broken within the first week of the New Year. For the past 15 years or so, I have chosen a word or intention to focus on instead of a resolution. A word or intention leaves me some wiggle room, some room for interpretation of what my success looks like.
My word is chosen based on what I consider my shortcomings or areas where there are “opportunities for growth.” In many years past, my choices were easily and effectively put into practice. Though to be honest, I can’t even remember my word for this past year. Life gets a little fuzzy in a pandemic.
So as we ring in 2021, I have been considering my “areas of growth.” In this strange and often polarizing year, it became painfully clear how much I love being right. I mean, who doesn’t? What I also realized is that as good as it feels to be right, and let people see how “right” I am, it doesn’t always serve anyone or anything but my own ego. Ouch, that is a hard lesson for me.
So when I read the following quote, it hit deep. I mean really deep. I knew it was my focus for 2021.
“Try to keep your mouth shut when you
have a strong desire to be right”
People, relationships, and feelings, are far more valuable than feeding my unnecessary desire to be right. I have a lot of work ahead for 2021.
*Some of my most memorable and helpful words from past years that I continue to work on:
Gratitude
Connect
Present