23 lessons in 2023

Wisdom we can carry into the new year

As 2023 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the lessons and insights I've gained over this year. From deepening connections to overcoming obstacles, here are 23 of the most impactful things I learned that may help others:

1. Small acts of kindness can change someone's entire day. Consider going out of your way to give genuine compliments, words of affirmation, or expressions of gratitude. These thoughtful gestures can lift others' spirits and brighten their perspective.

2. Change comes from daily, focused effort over time. Try to carve out dedicated time daily to chip away at your goals. Small, consistent efforts can compound over the long run into remarkable results. Maintaining discipline and patience creates tangible progress.

3. Progress beats perfection every time. Focus on consistent, incremental improvements rather than seeking flawless results right away. This allows you to build gradually towards excellence with self-compassion.

4. True intimacy requires courage and vulnerability from both people. Invest time strengthening communication in your closest relationships by openly sharing thoughts and feelings. This emotional availability can help bonds grow exponentially deeper.

5. Listening is just as important as speaking up. Strive to be fully present with someone by making eye contact, asking thoughtful questions, and avoiding interruptions. This makes them feel truly heard and builds mutual understanding.

6. Saying "no" gives you space to say "yes" to what matters most. Practice declining commitments gracefully to free up availability for aligning time with your purpose and passions.

7. Money comes and goes, but time is our most precious resource. Take inventory of how you spend hours and minutes. Eliminate time drains, and align schedule with energizing activities.

8. Doubt signifies areas for growth. Reframe doubts as exciting opportunities to expand your comfort zone and capabilities.

9. Be intentional about resting and recharging. I’ve found good sleep, walking and going to the gym reenergizes both the body and mind. Integrate regular movement breaks as an invaluable reset for mood, focus and creativity.

10. Your core values can guide your best decisions. Reference principles and ethics when facing difficult dilemmas to discern optimal choices aligned with your highest good.

11. Reading deeply feeds the soul more than skimming widely. Savor thought-provoking books by absorbing them slowly rather than rushing. This immersive process reveals profound insights to ponder afterwards.

12. Healthy friction from intellectual sparring partners helps you question assumptions and motivates you to improve. Seek out relationships with those of differing worldviews to strengthen your reasoning by debating respectfully.

13. An abundance mindset opens you up to more opportunities. Practice feeling genuine happiness for others’ successes to dissolve unconscious scarcity fears through the law of attraction.

14. Luck happens more often for those who show up consistently with focused effort and intention. Double down on diligent habits and processes to compound positive results exponentially.

15. Your worth isn’t defined by fleeting status symbols or busy schedules. Celebrate intrinsic rewards like rest, relationships and personal growth over external validation.

16. Move your gauge of success squarely into dimensions you can directly influence (i.e. focus on what you can control). This gave me a greater sense of control and empowerment. Judge yourself by metrics within your control rather than comparing to others. This builds agency.

17. Not having an opinion on something unfamiliar is wise. Get comfortable saying “I don’t know enough yet” with humble honesty rather than guessing. This allows non-defensive learning later.

18. Feedback reflecting lack of awareness provides a gift of clarity. Express gratitude for critique revealing blind spots, rather than getting defensive. This allows for improvement.

19. Progress requires patience with yourself and others alike. Lead with compassion - we’re all doing our best with current awareness. This grace allows learning without shame.

20. Joy is found through courage, not control. Step outside comfort zones, where the magic happens. Each leap builds confidence and reveals new depths within.

21. Learning never stops; complacency is the enemy of achievement. Expose yourself continuously to novel ideas to stay curious and reach your potential.

22. No experience is ever wasted, as everything offers self-discovery if you pay attention. Embrace painful endings mindfully as portals offering spiritual nutrition full of lessons.

23. Good enough may open the road to greatness down the line. Forgive yourself for reasonable imperfection to ease overwhelm, building energy for your bigger vision.

As I carry these 23 lessons with me into the future, I feel profoundly grateful for the opportunity this year offered me to learn and expand.

Before looking ahead with optimism, it's important we acknowledge and learn from the difficulties many faced this past year.

Let’s keep it real

I want recognize that this has been an extraordinarily challenging year for many in our industry. Between economic uncertainty and rapid technological change, anxiety about the future often made us question our present peace. However, we have an opportunity to channel worried thoughts into constructive action whenever possible.

"Every storm runs out of rain." - Maya Angelou

Rather than resenting circumstances beyond our control, we can focus energy on what we can influence. Progress often unfolds slowly, subtly, without force. Softening into more patient, gentle acceptance of life’s timing can ease unrest. Some of the best outcomes grow through quiet cultivation rather than aggressive pursuit.

The new year represents a chance to come together in support of one another, bridging divisions that distract us from shared goals. If we meet each moment with compassion and optimism, I trust our community will not only persevere but emerge wiser and stronger. By leading with understanding, we can create space for both frank dialogue about present challenges and inspired visioning for the future ahead.

Wrapping up 2023

I enter 2024 with an open heart, free spirit, and quiet confidence rooted in the personal clarity and wisdom these insights gifted me through earnest introspection.

I’m happy to recommend to carving out time for similar self-examination - to look inward and take stock of the lessons, insights, and personal growth that emerged over the last 12 months. Consistent introspection empowers you to intentionally shape your continued growth. In the words of Aristotle:

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."

The coming year represents a blank canvas flowing with potential for all of us.

I urge you to embrace it with courage, compassion, and purpose - fully prepared to paint your masterpiece.