The Greatest You - Moving Forward in ‘22

2022 By: Janet Downs

Ihope the start of 2022 is finding you doing well. 1.5 months down; 10.5 more to go. Did you make any new year’s resolutions? Yeah? Ok, great! I’m encouraging you to stay the course. If you didn’t, that’s ok too. Hopefully, you have a few goals set. Whether you did or not, right now, let’s celebrate the fact that you are still here because over 800,000 people aren’t. I say that’s definitely a win!

We’ve had to be flexible in areas of our lives that we never thought we’d have to, especially throughout this pandemic. That says we can overcome any obstacle. If you said you failed at a thing or didn’t hit your goals for 2021, it’s ok. You have another opportunity to do things better. The best version of you is waiting.

Stop the negative self-talk and return to those dreams and aspirations you placed on the back burner. C.S. Lewis said that you’re never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. What will it take to make those dreams a reality? You have 10.5 months to make it happen! That’s over 7600 hours! Make it count! Every day give it your best shot and believe that the best will happen. What will you do to motivate yourself? First, be good to yourself and love yourself. After all, you are already loved and accepted by the Creator.

Remove anything that doesn’t bring you peace. We live in a world where our peace can be so easily disturbed if we let it. Try to find those happy places and surround yourself with people whose presence brings you peace. I’m a woman of faith, so prayer and the Word is one of my peaceful places. It motivates me and starts my day.

I also include morning affirmations to help set the tone of my day. Write it, read it, say it. It really makes a difference in how my day goes and how I respond to various situations, even the negative ones. Yes, there will be disappointments along the way, but don’t allow fear and disappointment to discourage you and keep you on the sidelines. Maya Angelou said, “If I can’t change it, I can change my attitude.” Get up and run back into the game. Maintaining a positive attitude, even during a rough spot, is key to maintaining peace and helping to move you forward into your purpose.

Find something or someone that will keep you motivated and keep that fire burning in your belly.

You have work to do! Think about the differences you can make in a person’s life, just by what you have to offer. I know because it’s happening for me! You can do anything you set your mind to, but you must want it. If you need a little nudge, I’m nudging you now! As Nina Simone sang, “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me, and I’m feeling good.” You got this!! Let’s go!!