There is much discussion about whether it’s good to make resolutions, and/or set intentions and goals for the new year. Here’s my take…

I remember my mother saying “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. While I think this may be an exaggeration, there is some truth to it. We can intend and resolve to do something all day long, but unless we actually get up and do, it really doesn’t matter.

Setting goals, is just more of the same in my opinion.

What actually needs to happen is this…we must do the inner work on ourselves, realize our worth, seek out our gifts and really love who we are…right where we are. It’s only then that we will have the confidence to accomplish the things we want to accomplish!

Don’t get me wrong…there are very successful people who probably don’t really like who they are. They have power and money and prestige, BUT…are they happy? Do they get up in the morning, excited to start the day? Do they have good relationships with their spouses? Do they have good friends? Most likely, the answer is no. Personally, I want the entire package…great relationships, a business that makes my heart sing, financial abundance and the freedom to do things I want!

When 2022 came to an end, I had a feeling of disappointment that I had to process.

I spent last year doing some deep inner work. I took courses, journaled, studied and really took a deep dive into the why of my life and how I could let go of the past and move forward. This was not an easy process, but I know with certainty that I grew as a person. In many ways, I was fearless, but, looking back, I can still see where I let fear stop me from fully living.

It’s can be difficult to put yourself out there in a big way and I held back to some extent and that’s why I have been feeling disappointed. The word I chose for last year was focus and focus I did. I focused on learning and growing and yes, working. I not only learned about myself, I learned many technical things that have helped me be take full ownership of my business. I think it’s great to delegate and hire people to do things that you don’t love to do, or don’t have time to do, but it’s also good to know how to do those things, just in case the time comes when you need to know. The person that had helped me with my blog for many years, suddenly quit in June of 2022 and I had to scramble to learn how to do some of the things that he had always done. I still have things to learn, but I’m getting there and I’m sure it was a sign that it was time to move out of my comfort zone!

There is always something to be grateful for and in my reflection of the past year, gratitude is what helped me to see my growth and blessings and let go of the disappointment! I made many wonderful memories, and the things I learned last year will help me grow this year!

So…after all of the reflection, I’ve chosen fearless as my word for 2023. Fearless, however, is just a word, much like resolution and intention, so I’ve also chosen to be fearless with a plan. I read a quote years ago and it said…”plan your work and work your plan (I have no idea who said it). Thinking isn’t the same as planning…planning is getting out the calendar, or the white board, or your planner, and actually scheduling things that will move you forward…from day to day and month to month.

Think of yourself as 3 people in one…the planner, the doer and the one who celebrates! The part of you that is the planner, is crucial to making your dream life happen. The doer is the part of you that executes the plan. The doer takes a certain kind of energy and works best with a plan because otherwise, the doer is “busy” for the sake of being busy and that’s wasted energy. I can see where I spent a great deal of time in “doer energy” last year and it was more frustrating than productive. Lastly, don’t forget to include the part of you that takes the time to be grateful, and celebrate what you’ve been able to accomplish!

Now, let’s talk about fear! Fearless is a loaded word, because no matter what, you’ll still feel the fear. I would define fearless as – feeling the fear and doing what you need to do in spite of it!

Fear only exists in your mind, but it can stop you from living the life you want to live. Fear keeps you stuck in an endless loop of living the same day, or the same year, over and over again. This does not make for a good life. The only way to push past the fear and doing the thing…whatever the thing is for you, is to learn to love yourself. So…you may need to have a year like I had last year. Maybe this is the year you give yourself the gift of coming to terms with your s**t! You know…all of the things that you were conditioned to believe as a child that you’ve believed for way too long. I really do believe that letting go of limiting thoughts and beliefs is a daily process that involves living consciously. It’s a Journey but definitely one worth starting!

You are important, simply because you are here. You have unique gifts to offer and sharing your gifts is a responsibility!

You can do whatever you want to do if you believe you can, become fearless, make a plan and work your plan. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it! What if…2023 is the year you make it all happen?

A bit about my outfit…I’ve had a resurgence of love for some of the older pieces in my wardrobe including this coat! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worn it lately! Clearly, I can’t link the exact coat, but I started searching and found some amazing vintage ones at pretty reasonable prices (shop leopard coats on Etsy here)! I also pulled out an older blouse from Equipment as well as a pair of brown booties from last year…the brown ones are no longer available but I linked two pairs in the exact style that are different colors. My jeans are from new and on sale from Veronica Beard!