Ahhh. *exhales* A new beginning…a new chapter…a fresh start…another chance.
That is what the new year offers us, isn’t it? Second chances, opportunities to right those wrongs and a chance to rewrite the past and start all over, or to just continue and grow. The new year always bursts forth with its freshness, golden opportunities, fullness and all round positivity. Funnily, the new year or I should say, the first few days of the first month of any year can proudly boast of its ability to invoke certain levels of seriousness and sober reflection in the minds of human beings.
For me, it is great to be back to reality and work (I promise, it would be great from Monday), having had the opportunity to refresh my mind and body and just get some rest. Abuja is always a breath of fresh air, especially being in Lagos for a while. Lol. the reasons are not hard to recognize (meanwhile, this is a really good time to note that Lagos’ harmattan was stuck in traffic and so could not make it which explains why it was so hot).
Yes, for those of us who like to believe it, we have each been gifted a brand new chapter, a fresh start. And whether you want to admit it or not, there’s something pretty exciting about a fresh start. A lot of you reading this may have already proudly penned down, physically or mentally, your goals and resolutions for the new year. I would resist the urge to lunge into the psychologically and scientifically proven benefits of actually penning down goals on paper.
A lot of you reading this have also opted not to share any of these goals with anyone, riding on the subconscious mantra of wanting to “do more, speak less”. And a lot of you reading do not feel the need to have resolutions or goals as you are constantly setting goals for yourself through out the year. Whatever the case may be, you find that you most likely feel the same positivity and optimism you felt in January of 2018 that you’re going to get things right this time. You may have started in 2018, but left some goals unfinished or even promised to start but could not get around to it.
Whatever your journey in 2018 may have been; disappointing, mind blowing, frustrating, full of growth, nothing to write home about, exceptional, amazing, boring, not as you may have wished…2019 presents a clear chance to start over. In starting over, you may want to consider some of the following suggestions: (I call them the 4Ps or 4…I just realize I don’t know what come after cube root…aha! Google is your best friend. Apparently, after the cube root, they’re called 4th root, 5th root, 6th root and so on. You’re very much welcome)
Plan. Prepare. Perform. Pursue
Plan: The year is starting out and you have taken note of what you want to accomplish this coming week, this month and this year. You need to plan. Plan how you would attack these goals. Plan in detail how you want to achieve these goals. Break them down into mini goals that are not overwhelming and plan how you’re going to achieve the mini goals. Yes, “life happens” on some occasions, but that is no reason to abandon planning. You want to save? Plan. You want to travel? Plan. You want to start a business? Plan. You want to get into school or take a course? Plan
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Prepare: Be prepared for the successes and challenges that may come your way as you achieve those goals, lest they overwhelm and shake you. Be prepared to make mistakes and be prepared to fail. Be prepared for delays that my not necessarily be denials. Be prepared to do great things.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”~ Benjamin Franklin
Perform: And when you’re done planning, preparing yourself for all possible outcomes, analyzing and overthinking; When you’re done consulting, researching, finding alternative means, resources, sources, back ups, capital…whatever it may be, GO FOR IT! Just go for it. It may never be perfect at the first go, and mistakes are definitely bound to be made along the way, but the most important thing is getting it done; being brave enough to put yourself out there for the world to see your light. Surround yourself with encouragers. Avoid procrastination and go for it!
“Done over good.”
Pursue: And after planning, preparing and performing, I hope that you will remember this tiny vital bit; keep going. Pursue your passion, that which your heart desires and craves for, that which sets your soul on fire, that which makes you feel more alive than you have felt in a while. Pursue it with all your heart and might until you are satisfied. Pursue it with all you’ve got even when others do not seem to understand. And when the storms come, when the obstacles show up, when the going gets tough, remember your why and just keep going. Don’t give up. The beginning is always the hardest. Just keep going.
“When the going gets tough, put one foot in front of the other and just keep going. Don’t give up.” ~ Roy Bennet
So here’s to quietly smashing unimaginably amazing goals in 2019 and being the best versions of our very beautiful selves!
May 2019 bring us peace, joy and crazy happiness as we achieve all we ever dreamed of achieving.
x
Rachel Eyo 
Always refreshing to read something that strays from the regular ‘oh go get it done’ generalities and includes actual pointers! 🤓
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Why, thank you very much! I appreciate.
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Good read. well done
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Thank you!
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Nice..fabulous and inspiring..Thanks
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Thanks alot and thanks for reading!
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