It’s never too late for a fresh start
Hi!
It wouldn’t surprise me if a lot of people wonder—but funnily enough, I rarely get asked: Are you really as organized as it seems? Does everything run as smoothly for you as it looks from afar?
Honestly? Of course not. I have an affinity for being organized, and discipline will take me a long way, but there are limits. And so the pointers I share with you are nearly always meant to inspire action on my part, too. In the endless stream of gurus with perfect lives, I hope to sketch something different:
Encouragement to try anew. Try. Rinse. Repeat.
Insight into a quest for meaningful work and a meaningful life.
And an honest account of the fact that my good intentions, structures, and plans sometimes fail me. Outside factors are to blame at times, but other times the culprit is me. Sometimes, I have a hard time putting my mind to it.
How it started
The theme of my second quarter this year was “Well-rested and fit.” Of the 16 goals I chased, I fully achieved six, partially completed another six, and then there were four I didn’t meet at all. And though I did perform an abbreviated review during the quarterly event I led at the start of July, only last week did I manage to sit down, take a good look at my progress, and set new goals.
As for being well-rested and fit? Didn’t happen.
My not-so-successful quarter is largely due to a rough patch with young children. I was also caught off guard by all the national holidays here in Holland in April and May. That used to mean I had my hands free to relax or catch up, but with daycare closed, holidays mean something else now. But that’s an easy excuse for letting work commitments slide and postponing my own deadlines. I also didn’t manage to detect in my Friday recaps that I needed to change tack; I still had hope each week that I would make it.
How it’s going
Then one Friday evening, I had a video call with my partner-in-crime to regroup. Derk and I wanted to start up our accountability sessions again because we know it’s a system that works for us like no other. And it’s never too late to get things back on track. It made me think of that saying from James Clear. He has a mantra for sticking with good habits: “Never miss twice.” Skip something once? No problem. It happens. Just make sure you pick up where you left off next time.
So now I’m armed with a short list of goals for the next two months, and a renewed commitment to adapting those goals as needed during my sessions with Derk. That should do the trick. Then my list will be all green by the end of the summer.
There’s always an excuse ready and waiting for not doing those things that you know are good in the long run. That’s the message you’ve got to recognize. Catch yourself thinking it? Show it the door.
Hope you’ll find this glimpse into my own last quarter encouraging. Everyone trips up sometimes. Nothing to be ashamed of. And I’m certainly not planning on giving up anytime soon.
My new plans have given me fresh energy—I hope that’s contagious.
All the best and have a good week,
Rick
produced by the language girl