perspectives this year.
It might be a return to academic study, a new podcast, or a visit to the library. It could be a course that creates possibilities for career advancement. Also, let your learning lead you to new voices. New people and places can inform you at a more personal level. Spend time in different parts of your town or city. Build genuine relationships with people from different cultures, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds. Listen and learn. Our world needs that right now.
Handle Your Business
This section doesn’t feel sexy or inspiring, but it’s necessary. Handle the unglamorous everyday things that make your life work. Take a long hard look at your bank balance and your financial habits. Pay your bills.
Make a plan for your debt. If you don’t have a will, make one. Handle the things you wish someone else would handle for you but are actually your responsibility. Yes, we all need a day like “Parks and Recreation’s” Donna and Tom to ‘Treat Yo’ Self’. Just make sure you Handle Yo’ Business, too.
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Discover What Makes You Feel Alive.
Life is challenging, but it’s also inspiring. Mundane at times, yet achingly beautiful. And you get to live it. There are the inevitable days when you’re surviving not thriving. But, take some time to discover what makes you feel alive – and do something about it. Volunteer at a shelter or mentor a young person. Enjoy art in all its forms, and take up a sport. Enjoy nature. Create a magnificent meal for your loved ones. Allow curiosity to lead you to explore your purpose. You have skills and abilities and passions that can help other people flourish. Make your contribution.
Break Up with Perfectionism
The dream of who we long to be often stays a dream because we expect perfection. We silence our goals because we feel if we can’t be perfect, it’s not worth trying.
Moving forward, it’s essential you know that perfectionism is not your friend; it’s the enemy of the life you were made for. So, this year, break up with perfectionism and take your life back.
Instead of trying to prove your worth and perform your value, practice your dreams and goals in small ways. As with any practice (like music scales, or training for a 5k) you have good, bad, and ugly days, but if you keep at it, eventually you get stronger.
Practice and celebrate your progress. Then, keep going.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JO SAXTON is a popular leadership trainer, international speaker, and author. She has been featured at IF: Gathering, Catalyst, Thrive, and Propel conferences. Jo also chairs the board of an international discipleship organization, 3D Movements, serves on the advisory board for Today’s Christian Woman, and co-hosts the LeadStories podcast. Jo and her husband, Chris, live in the Minneapolis area with their two daughters. Her new book, The Dream of You will be released through WaterBrook & Multnomah on January 23, 2018.