*Whoooooosh*
No, that’s not the sound of another email jettisoning towards its target.
It’s the sound of the first quarter of 2023. Or at least that’s what played in my mind when I woke up this morning, the last day of Q1 ‘23.
How did that happen? I don’t know, but here we are. Again.
This topic (the elasticity of time) feels as well worn as the weather and public transport these days — a battered, dog-eared paperback I whip out whenever the talk is small or awkward.
With March closing, a new season spreading its wings (or shedding its leaves, depending on where you are) and daylight savings switching-up, it felt like a good moment to reflect.
This year, I wanted to make resolutions that would stick. And so far so good (this missive being a case in point, plus my recently (soft) launched Supperclub project).
Part of the success was getting really clear on what I wanted to achieve, how I would do that (mapping time against each task) and really understanding the why behind each thing I was doing. And also, scheduling in some time to reflect (hello) and course correct. Big ups to my coach for helping me set up some resolutions so well, hi Jonathan!
In pursuit of reflection this week, I came across a lovely, helpful and gentle resource: The Anti-Resolution Workbook. While intended for use at the start of the year, it has some really great journaling and activity prompts that I used to look back on Q1, and forward to Q2.
The whole anti-resolution part of the premise is interesting too — although it says it’s anti-resolution, what it’s really railing against is hustle culture and the idea of undue self-pressure.
I really loved the opening quote:
“If being hard on yourself worked, it would have worked by now.”
A nice reminder to connect with the fun in things, your own emotional why, and not get caught up too much in perfectionism or trying to mind read what other people think.
Resolutions themselves aren’t bad, but I believe good resolutions aren’t vague, lofty or too numerous. They should stretch you but feel achievable. Nows a great time to reflect on how you’re travelling with your goals or re-establish some if you didn’t at the start of the year.
If you’re in the mood for a shift that’s more mindset/feelings/behaviour/belief based, I love the Holistic Psychiatrist’s Future Self Journal. It sounds a bit woo-woo, but it’s actually really effective. It helped me overcome stage fright a few years ago when I found myself unable to sing a choir solo.
To close out, another quote and bonus, bonus recommendation. Not to break my own rule, and pile a third thing into this week’s Good Thing, but I also loved what Phil Stutz said in the Jonah Hill Netflix doco, Stutz:
“The biggest difference between those who succeed and those who fail at any endeavour is their level of commitment.”
These words also rang true, and helped me to write this today (I had started to ask myself, what is the point?). In case you need a sign too, here it is: just keep going.
Plus, aside from this nugget, Stutz is a solid watch, with plenty more insight, wisdom and practical tools you can use in your own life.
So, three ways of reflecting/evolving/moving forward, for the price of one, in a neat inverted triangle: