We’re all looking forward to an exciting, fresh year with endless possibilities, which can be a little scary. I encourage you to let go of the fear of the unknown and be motivated for whatever comes your way. Often, when we reflect on our personal behaviors we are filled with shame for the ways we’ve acted in the past. For me, this shame resulted in making a way-to-long list of next-year “goals” I could never complete. The list was overwhelming, which paralyzed me to make little-to-no progress. Here is where Seth Godin kicks us all in the ass: “Doing the best I can” is not actually the same as “doing everything I can”. When we tell people we’re doing the best we can, we’re actually saying, “I’m doing the best I’m comfortable doing.” As you’ve probably discovered, great work makes us uncomfortable.
We (read: I) obsess over things being perfect, but it will never be. Embrace the discomfort of imperfection, instead of running away from it. Follow the wise words from Thomas Jefferson, “If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”
To do this, we must simply start.
Ask yourself what excites you and courageously decide to fight for it. Focus all of your energy on it and imagine how great the outcome could be with hard work. Start small, but once you’ve started, just keep doing it. You’ll never know what amazing things can come out of these possibilities until you try.
Cheers to this unknown, exciting new year!
iPhone: black, pink // iPad: black, pink // desktop: black, pink
Instructions to download:
- Click the link.
- Save the image.
- Find the image in your photo library.
- Set it to be your desktop image.
p.s. here are more inspirational downloads!
photography by Bruce Layman
