Good morning from Milano. What’s on my mind today is this thing that been going through the back of my thoughts: are you walking your talk? In particular as it relates to the new year stuff,  I guess I’ve felt a little bit overwhelmed by all of the posts about taking stock of 2023, the word of the year, and what are your goals?

Yes, this is stuff that I love and that is so important to me. I really feel very strongly about directing your attention, and your time and energy. At the same time, I don’t want it to feel like homework. For some reason, I’ve been a little bit shut down this week, feeling a little bit guilty about it and asking myself this question are you walking your talk.

I got on the phone yesterday with one of my buddies and I said to him, so what is the new year look like for you? Like, do you have a word of the year? Do you write goals for yourself? Like, how does it work for you? And he said, of course I set my intentions for the new year. Then he said exactly what I needed to hear. He said but I wait for it to come. It was like, boom. I realized that I have set the bar around goal setting a little bit high for myself this year, for some reason. Maybe it’s because I’ve been thinking about it and talking about it – and I want to do this rocket fuel group – but the truth of the matter is I have let myself go this week.

I read something on social media that I’ve been saying and repeating to anybody who will hear me, and it’s this: this week doesn’t count. It’s funny because I’m in Europe right now, and King’s Day falls on January 6^th which sort of delineates the end of the holiday season in most Catholic countries, and especially in Europe. There are some people that have gone back to the office, but it’s just not a normal work week. In fact, as I was walking down the street today, I saw many places with a sign on the door Closed till January 8^th.

So yeah, here, it’s fair to say that this week doesn’t count and I’m sharing these two things with you mostly to say that if like me you didn’t do all that you had planned or hoped for, let it go. It’s okay. And yes, I know you don’t need permission from me, I’m just sharing what I’m going through. I have had a couple of super productive spurts, and there have been a couple of nights when I’ve been in my pajamas at 630 mindlessly watching stuff on YouTube or scrolling social media. And Hey, who cares?

I think those two points sum it up. First, our intention or goal setting for the new year is something that feels better when it emerges naturally, when you can actually get excited about it versus feeling like it’s a homework task. And secondly, this week doesn’t count.  I don’t know who needs to hear it, but speaking for myself, I’m really looking forward to these last three days of holiday time and holiday spirit. And wherever you are and whatever circumstances you find yourself. you do you.

That’s all I have for you today.  Until next time, have a wonderful weekend from my heart to yours.