This isn’t another “CRUSHED 2023 and going to CRUSH 2024” post.
Because I didn’t crush anything last year. And that’s ok.
But what I did do is exactly what my mind and body needed:
I rested.
As 2023 came to a close, I realized that it was a restorative year.
I recall that I:
- Took a lot of naps. A lot.
- Walked in the woods nearly daily.
- Had life-changing experiences with friends.
- Read 42 books, nearly entirely fiction.
- Said no whenever my heart wasn’t in something.
I also had wonderful experiences and successes in my business, as I:
- Started work with some incredible–and fun–leadership teams.
- Guided coaching clients through transformational journeys.
- Gained clarity on what I most want to spend my time on.
- Crafted offerings and messages that support my passions.
- Invested in my own development.
Notice I list the self-care first. That’s because all of the work of work was heavily, heavily balanced with the work of self-care.
2022 was a rough year for a variety of personal reasons. I had grand plans going into 2023, but as the year unfolded, what I realized I really needed was time to restore.
Deep down, my innermost self knew this, as my word for 2023 was Modulation. When I picked that word, I had a very vivid image in my brain of a soundboard, moving the knobs up and down for the perfect blend.
That word came to pass. I modulated with work and self-care. And my work was better for it.
But I didn’t crush anything. (Well, unless you consider napping.) “Crushing” or “awesome” or “amazing” was not what I needed.
I say this because we are inundated with posts at the end of the year about how amazing so-and-so’s year has been. If our own year wasn’t amazing, we can feel our year was a little … less than.
If you feel that way, consider that your year wasn’t less than. It was what you needed.
And to show up as our best selves every day, as the best leader we can be every day, we need to listen to what we need. As whole people. As complex beings.
And often, that means rest. Not crushing.
So where am I headed in 2024? Still not planning to crush anything.
But I do have my word for 2024: Expansiveness
Expansiveness in my business, relationships, and experiences – I’ve rested, and now I’m ready to invite in more.
I’m not being overly prescriptive about it–I trust the universe knows what I need.
I started today, January 1, 2024, with a First Day Hike here in Colorado. This picture which I took today will be my visual reminder for the year, as nothing represents expansiveness to me more than the Rocky Mountains.
And as I lean into expansiveness, I hope you’ll join me.
I’d love to hear from you: What was your word or intention for 2023, and how did it weave through your year? And what’s your word or intention for 2024?
Hey there, I’m Cynthia. I’m a leadership team whisperer, executive coach, and speaker. I guide leadership teams in high-growth companies to achieve rapid growth in a healthy, sustainable way. I coach senior leaders to discover the path to lead with ease.
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