As the sun rises on a new year, it provides a natural incentive to reflect, doesn't it? I spent a little time thinking about the highs and the lows 2021 & noted some of my key takeaways. I thought I'd share them.
- Aim for Faithfulness: Faithfulness cannot always measured by the results. You can do the right thing and the wheels can still come flying off. When we focus exclusively on the results, rather than doing the right thing, we are likely to flex where we ought to be rigid and be rigid where we ought to flex.
- Be a Person of Conviction: It can be very costly to do what you believe is the right thing - that action or next step that you are convicted, after appropriately and meaningfully processing, is the right action or next step. But not doing it is also costly because it requires that you ignore or compromise on the very thing you believe to be right. So, knowing that either option is costly - it's better to follow your conviction and deal with the shrapnel that comes from that than live with the shrapnel which comes from inaction or compromise. Being able to sleep at night is an under-rated gift. Don't give that up by compromising.
- Embrace Accountability: Everyone is accountable. It doesn't matter where our name shows up on the org chart. It matters not whether we are the founder or we are a day one mail room clerk - we are accountable for the actions we make & the responsibility we steward.
- Humility, Humility, Humility: In just about every single circumstance - we do not have all the information. We do not have all the answers. We do not understand all the nuances or perspectives. We live in a world of unprecedented hubris & it comes at us from every direction. A touch more humility is in order, but boy howdy - we best keep in mind the words of William Law who wrote that “there can be no surer proof of a confirmed pride than a belief that one is sufficiently humble” (A Serious Call to a Devout & Holy Life, pg. 217).
- Don't Be Delusional: Always remember that I am capable of missing the mark in each of the aforementioned items.
To be sure, I've got other takeaways from 2021, but these are the ones that continue to stir in my mind. What about you? What are some of your big takeaways from last year?
Event Planner and Floral Designer
2yThere’s always room for hope. Never ever give up. Even when life seems hopeless look up there’s always hope in Christ. I’ve also learned to pivot… in parenting, in my small business, in community and in my marriage. Learn to be flexible and manage expectations. Finally, relationships are worth the hard work and family matters. Marriage is hard work but it matters. It’s a model of Christ and the church. Parenting is hard work. Finding quality time with each specific child in busy family takes intentionality and planning. I do it well sometimes and I fail often. But I’m not going to give up trying. Each child has different needs and love languages. PS I want to keep growing, stay humble, keep learning something new, read more, be hungry for knowledge and God’s word, be the best small business owner I can be and serve my community well.
Partner - Senior Vice President at Lone Star Valet
2yGreat thoughts here brother!
Director- Strategic Accounts @ bidadoo | Equipment Remarketing Expert
2yBig takeaway for me in 2021 was the value in pursuing genuine relationships with customers and coworkers. Taking the time for real personal follow up and making the relationship less transactional helps make every day more fun. Thinking about sharing your light and being salty (the good kind). When is the DLev podcast dropping?