Happy New Year!

Are you tired of hearing that yet? Alright, let’s move on.

Every year, I set an intention. In 2019, I focused on ease. I aimed to approach every aspect of my life—my work, relationships, wellbeing, and personal growth—from a place of acceptance and peace (instead of letting my ego lead, control, and/or resist).

Surprisingly, this led me to do more of what matters to me which, as you know, is what I’m all about. It also led me to appreciate all that could happen, both around me and within me, when I allowed myself to let go, slow down, do less, and pay attention to the natural unfolding of events.

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” —Lao Tzu

My plans and intentions for 2020

This year, I have three words:

1. Simplicity
2. Focus
3. Harmony

• ordered by practice, perhaps, not importance
• ‘3 words’ is the brainchild of Chris Brogan

If you do this practice, ensure that each word means something to you. Ensure there’s a purpose or intention behind it.

I want to continue to invest my time and energy into what adds value to my life, and I want to do those things with utmost attention and intention. I also want to ensure the pieces of my life integrate harmoniously with one another (i.e., without feeling like separate or conflicting fragments).

This means I’ll be taking on less projects and tasks so I can create more meaningful work (less breadth, more depth), setting firmer boundaries within my schedule, practicing discipline when it comes to distractions, and using/creating pockets of time for silence, stillness, and solitude.

I’m also focusing on these three questions:

1. What do I want to cultivate in myself?
2. What do I want to create in my work?
3. How do I want to contribute to my world?

I talk a lot about the 3 P’s (personal, purposeful, practical) in my book, and now it’s all about the C’s, folks!

How to live a Fuller life

One of the books I’m currently reading is Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn. In my favourite chapter, titled “What is My Job on the Planet with a Capital J?”, he shares the story of Buckminster Fuller, a fascinating fellow best known for discovering/inventing the geodesic dome. Fuller aimed to help humanity by creating a world that worked for everyone, and this was his guiding question:

“What is it on this planet that needs doing that I know something about, that probably won’t happen unless I take responsibility for it?”

You see, it’s not only about what you can do to help; it’s about what you (and perhaps only you) can do that you need to own, to take responsibility for. What will you do to help?

My answer

For me, it’s helping others live with intention, learn to appreciate and empower themselves, and ensure their time and energy—one’s most precious resources—go toward what matters to them, what brings them joy, and what generates fulfillment in their lives. Because I know the world needs and will benefit from intentional, empowered, fulfilled people.

Learn more about my “what”s and “why”s in this video:

Your turn

What’s your answer to Fuller’s question? What are your guiding questions? What can you focus on this year to cultivate, create, and contribute what matters to you and to the world around you?

If you want to cultivate vulnerability, courage, or accountability this year, comment below with your answers!