The 2019 Starting Line

“Courage is crossing a starting line.” — Amby Burfoot, American marathoner, author.

My family and I are looking forward to a very busy month of December. There is much work to be done and much fun to be had. It seems that the calendar year always ends with a dash towards a virtual finish line.

This is also a great time to look ahead to the virtual starting line of 2019. Here are five ideas for starting 2019 with a focus on the good you can do for yourself and others in the year to come.

1. Define a realistic close to 2018. Instead of just rushing towards the end of the year, pick the items that are most important to you and make some final progress on them.
2. Put progress on the priority items before your work on your lower priority items. Hit the 2018 year end strong with a sense of accomplishment.
3. Think ahead to the end of 2019. What do you want to think and feel about 2019 when you are preparing for the 2020 New Year’s Eve Party? Let this inform the clear intentions for the 2019 starting line.
4. Setup 2019 to be a fine start to the year. Schedule meetings that will be energizing and that will start pointing you towards your 2019 year end goals.
5. Enjoy the pause.

The change of the year is a great time to pause and reflect. This pause is best enjoyed when everything is set to start the new year running.

Yours in the calm pursuit of excellence,

Alan Willett