Is it too late to say Happy New Year? After all, we are in March. Yet I think it is still the perfect time—rules seem so overrated now—so Happy 2021, my beautiful Dahlings. My wish is that you experience success in all areas of your life. But of course, I believe where we have now found ourselves Gratitude is the only way to thrive in 2021 and beyond.
2020 Continues into 2021
2020 was challenging and messy. I believe I speak for you and me both when I say I do not want a repeat of 2020. Sadly, remnants of the struggles we experienced in 2020 will continue well into 2021 on a local, national and international level. And in both our personal and professional lives.
In one way or another, we are hopeful that our world will return to normal. But sadly, that will NEVER happen. And the truth is, was our world ever normal, to begin with?
2021
Unfortunately, hoping for normalcy is not a strategy for living life. This year began relatively slow. I started this year unmotivated and without direction for my life. As I have mentioned so many times before, I do not believe New Year’s Resolutions are effective. But I usually set an intention for the year and make goals for the critical areas of my life.
I started with Gratitude to gain clarity for 2021
As the clock struck midnight on January first, I was clueless about what 2021 would look like. I lay awake way after three A.M., feeling sad and hopeless. Those feelings continued well into January. But although I felt that way, some of me felt stronger and grateful for having survived the madness.
Like many of you, I may not feel like my old self, and nothing is the way they were before the pandemic, not my life or those of my friends, not my business, and indeed not many of the companies in my community. But there I was, alive and well. And for that, I was thankful.
As I contemplated how grateful I was, I still needed a strategy to thrive in 2021, and Gratitude came to mind. I had done enough surviving for the last few years and especially in 2020. I needed to thrive this year; wishful thinking was not a good plan. Gratitude always seems to be an excellent starting point whenever I am unsure.
I started thinking with a good ole fashion pen and paper. After a few days, I had a clear plan, but more clarity was needed to implement some strategy. And I decided I needed to use February to get that done.
So here I am to wish you a Happy New Year while feeling excited about this new year. I will undoubtedly have a backup supply of toilet paper, canned items, etc. but having a plan gives me the comfort and confidence to know that it does not matter what 2021 throws at me; I am prepared.
What have you done to get you on the right track to boost your confidence, implement Gratitude into your daily life, and set yourself up to thrive in 2021? I would love to hear from you.
As Always, Sending Love. Stay Safe.
Cheers
XXOO
Nat