Lessons Practiced in 2022
There is a lesson in everything. Both in positive and negative experiences. Some lessons come in the form of a seed planted many years ago, which finally blooms when our resistance to change is exhausted and we surrender to the teaching. Oftentimes, it is when we realize we have the power to shift the situation and we finally take action.
Here are a few things I learned in 2020-2021 and finally practiced in 2022 …
Intention is everything. I started paying attention to the “why” beneath my vision, values, and behaviors plus goals for the year. It helped me get clear on my ego versus authenticity. Often the goal may not change, but my intention for achieving it does.
Say yes to what energizes and no to what doesn’t. Committing to this practice was an experiment that paid off. Literally. We doubled revenue and profits while partnering with clients we thoroughly enjoyed. It was my favorite year in business because of the people we worked alongside.
More flow; less hustle and force. It goes against all that I learned growing up in both competitive and people-pleasing environments. Now I am aware, if I find myself in situations where I am trying to prove my worth or value, then I am hustling. Maybe hustling works for some people, but it does not for me. Now I accept it as a data point – time to move on.
Less is best. Focus on one to three priorities and commit to doing them really well. Let the rest fall away for the time being. For us, coaching and team workshops were energizing, values-aligned, and flowed, so we zoomed in on these last year. We pressed pause on some other initiatives, ideas, and services where the timing felt forced.
Not going to lie, I have learned some of these lessons the hard way over the years. It has cost me time, energy, and money. My ego has been bruised.
To practice and believe the fruits of these lessons, I had to engage in mindset work and challenge my beliefs. Hint: Our mindset and beliefs are the roadblock to positive change.
For me, a common theme of worthiness and trust revealed itself, as did challenging a scarcity mindset.
I had to wrestle with the following questions:
Am I worthy of only working with people and on projects that energize me?
If I give up the hustle, am I worthy of success?
If I say no, will other people and projects come my way?
Can I really trust the flow and ease of life and work?
Changing behavior is risky. Challenging our mindset and beliefs is hard work. It’s why a lot of people don’t do it.
Regardless, I committed to practicing the lessons above as an experiment and leaning into the same work and exercises I ask clients to do. It worked.
Cheers to another year of practicing the lessons learned.
What lesson keeps showing up for you?