Welcome to the New Year! Boy, oh, boy, does this year have a lot of potential!
Maybe you are happy with how the last year turned out, or maybe you just want to shake off any “last year left over” off the bottom of your shoe. Before we just stroll on in, please consider wearing three different hats: the hats of “Historian,” “The Reliable One,” and “Designer.”
The ‘Historian’ hat. Looking at the past year: what were your wins and your accomplishments? How many different wins did you collect? As an example, I had a win in attending my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding in Hawaii. That’s two wins!
Next, as the Historian, ask yourself what lessons from this last year did you learn? Maybe you learned from some painful events, such as a car accident, the passing of a loved one, the end of a friendship, or financial setbacks. As for me, I learned how important it is to visit friends and neighbors as I had several people that I respected and whose company I did enjoy, pass away. I don’t get a second chance; I only get to show that I learned to visit more people more often.
Some of your lessons might have come from taking risks, trying out a new hobby, testing a business idea, or maybe a new daily routine. I personally like the lessons gleaned by watching others do things that worked out or watching them crash and burn. Ramifications and repercussions are great teachers.
The Historian hat will also want to recall the events that occurred over the past year. Funerals, weddings, anniversaries, babies born, gatherings, holidays, sporting events, special musical or drama performances, rodeos, and various and sundry other things. As for me, I just mentioned the weddings and funerals this year. The funerals hit hard. That historian hat is a great way to review the past year for keepers and for things you want to help guide you in the future.
The’ Reliable One’ hat. When you’re wearing this hat, you’re taking care of business. The sun comes up, and breakfast, lunch and dinner need to be made, and bills need to be paid. You’ve gotta feed the kids, dogs, cats and chickens … these things don’t take care of themselves, and you gotta get up and get it done. Talk is cheap and thinking about it does nothing; it’s the action that counts.
As for me, I have much time and attention to devote to preparing speeches (I do like to talk a lot) and writing in that hard-to-maintain journal. *If you are seeing this, it is because I took action to write it. We are living in the present. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” — Kung-fu Panda
Right here, in the present, is where it all happens. Where all the choices have to be made. This is where the friction happens. Needs are weighed against wants. This is where responsibilities are acknowledged, accepted or rejected. The present is where we are right now. This is where the action begins! The past will eventually talk about it. The future has so many options. Which one will it be? This is a powerful hat to wear. What will you DO?
The ‘Designer’ hat. When you wear this hat, you get to design your future. Of course this only works if you actually follow through. What are you looking forward to? Where will you put all of your heart and soul? Looking ahead to how your actions might change the course of history.
As for me, I’m planning my business calls and podcast episodes. While we are looking forward to this year, how did the goal-setting pan out for you last year? Are you great at achieving your goals, or will you need some extra help? I admit, my record is kinda spotty. I will be putting in the time for writing because I am committed to several events in the near future.
No doubt, you have several goals for the New Year. I would think any good ‘Designer’ hat-wearing person would also have a daily or weekly check list to make sure that the “new you” stays on schedule and gets those tasks done and checked off.
These are the three hats that you are going to be wearing at different times throughout the year and throughout your life, for that matter. The Historian hat for the wins, lessons, and important points on the timeline. The Reliable One hat is your main hat for getting things done each and every day. The Designer hat for the moments of looking forward and seeing how things could be.
And there you go! Out of the old year and into the New Year, and don’t forget your hats!
