New year, new… expectations.
Happy new year & welcome to 2024.
We're back! (kind of).
I expected to feel more… peppy… in January. I think I often have these grand expectations of myself in the new year. It's a little of that 'new year, new me' trope that we've probably all bought into at some point in our lives. But in the past, I've loved the concept of the 'fresh start' a new year can offer and really embraced it… this year though, not so much.
And perhaps it's because I am not yet feeling the new year refresh 'rush' I have in the past, that I am noticing a deluge of emails and socials posts dedicated to goal setting, business planning, brain storming and a general sense of smashing 2024. And it has hit me right in the feelings place with a tinge of envy.
Which leads me to January's newsletter.
I've been on holidays in a caravan at the beach in regional NSW with family. Which was lovely and restful (for the most part, I do have 2 small boys) and I actually managed to read 2 books. Which is a PB for me post-children and was such a thrill. I didn't have a book review in me though, or a blog post. Do I feel slightly anxious and annoyed at myself that I am 2 months in to writing blogs and I have already given myself a month off? Yes. Does it outweigh the enjoyment I got out of reading, holidaying and actually honoring my annual leave? Thankfully, no. I know there is no one out there tapping their watch, holding me to a monthly blog commitment. Noone checked the website on Jan 1st 2024 and thought 'those PE Partners are a flaky bunch'. So why have that expectation of myself?!
So I thought I'd share the one goal I've come up with to kick off 2024 (at least until I actually sit down and do some proper goal setting & strategic planning). And that is… that I am lowering my expectations of myself!
Not in a 'do less!', produce lower-quality work kind of way. In a… give myself the same grace, respect and compassion I would give any colleague or employee kind of way. I would never allow or encourage a team member to work on their annual leave, so why would I expect that of myself? I am going to start the year as I wish to continue it, by setting the same reasonable expectations I would any team member.
To that end, there is no newsletter as such for January. Because I've been on holidays and I am so fortunate to be going on MORE holidays with family over the coming weeks. So for January, I am lowering my expectations. I won't be burning the candle at both ends and I will enjoy this time with my family and hopefully some sunshine (come ON Melbourne!).
If you've started the year off feeling a bit the same, this is your reminder, permission, kick in the pants (whatever you need) to give yourself some grace, okay? Whatever energy you're bringing to the new year is enough. It doesn't have to be some hard launch every January. Your inspiration for the year might be a slow burn. You might consider trying some goal setting to get you started or you might just need to binge watch one more tv series, both are great options if you ask me. I think we've all seen that meme that comes around every February along the lines of January being a trial month and you'll start the new year properly in Feb? That's the vibe I'm subscribing to this year and actually… I'm cool with that.
So when you hear from me in February, be ready for some big, belated new year's energy (or maybe it will come in March).
Catch you in the new year.
