The New Year brings with it visions of hope and rebirth. We all, even those who hate “resolutions,” think about what we want the new year to bring.
This year, we will learn to bake bread, save more for the college fund, and commit to our health. Or maybe, we choose to get a few more days of skiing or fishing in this year. Or spend more time visiting family.
I’ll ask all of my readers – as individuals interested in growing and developing and who want to create a life filled with purpose and meaning – what are you focusing on in 2024?
I don’t know about you, but I find it’s easy to slip into a routine, even when it’s suboptimal. I find myself taking the easy path at times. But I’ve also realized that the most valuable things in life take time to accomplish.
Just think back to your medical training. We spent nearly a decade learning, training, testing, and caring for patients. Being a physician is not something that happens overnight.
Why would we expect building wealth, maintaining our health, creating a profoundly loving marriage, or parenting to be any different?
You may see where I am going in 2024. My focus will be on patience, with a large helping of grace. In this newsletter, I’ve talked about focusing on what is both important and within our control.
This intersection of what’s under our control and what’s most important is where we can make magic happen. Instead of reacting or blaming, we get to focus our energy on making things happen.
It’s a nice place to exist.
I will also be focusing on building deeper relationships this year. As a (relatively) new father, I crave the time in the mountains with friends. But I also yearn to talk with other new dads – young or old – and share our joy and struggles.
I’m sure many of you have heard the adage – you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
If you want to be physically fit, hang out with people who prioritize that. If you want to serve, hang out with others who serve their community.
After moving to a new town and becoming a new parent, I’m ready to build deeper and more meaningful relationships in my community.
I’ll be brutally honest, I find this scary, time-consuming, and challenging. I still find myself deeply missing my best friend, even though he died over five years ago.
I know the power and importance of genuine friendship. Someone to support, someone that will help you become a better version of yourself. Having that friend who you never have to put on any pretense in front of. Someone who you can be fully yourself, is powerful.
We’ve discussed the different types of wealth – financial, health, relationships, and knowledge.
As we move through different stages of life, it is so easy to lose track of our closest friends and even family.
We all get busy – education, residency training, the rigors of our professional lives. Not to mention parenting and maintaining our marriages or partnerships.
What works for you? How do you find time for yourself and your close friends? Is it planning trips and taking time off? Or is it a regularly scheduled phone call or meeting for coffee? I am genuinely curious to discover what works for all of you.
Where are you feeling you want to be attention and drive in 2024? What areas can you let run a bit on autopilot and use that energy elsewhere?
More than anything, I find that the beginning of the year is an excellent opportunity to evaluate the prior year. Start by asking questions such as where I spent my energy this past year. What gave me joy?
And also reflecting on where you felt drained or what you wanted to pursue but didn’t because of fear.
I’ve seen many great ways to reflect, such as this personal annual review. Take it and tailor it to your life.
One of the many reasons I enjoy working with all of you is the chance to reflect your values back to you. To ask pointed questions when you feel unsure or stuck. To remind you of how far you’ve come.
Keep up the great work.
