Monday Morning Musings

Reflections and Looking Ahead – From January 1st 2024.

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope you have all had a wonderful festive break and managed to relax, have fun and recharge. I was very fortunate to get away for New Years with my family and some friends, to place where I always feel content and happy – the beach. In fact, as I write this, I’m sat by the ocean thinking about the year that has just gone, and the one that we have now entered. The calmness of the ocean and the serenity of where I am right now has prompted me to write the first Monday Morning Musing of the year by reflecting on the past 12 months.

So here is what I personally learned, loved and liked from 2023.

What I LEARNED

The past 12 months I felt were somewhat enlightening for me. For every year that passes I feel that I learn something new about myself, but in 2023 I really felt that what it was a period that I have learned the most which has helped me to think about where I am right now and where I want to go next.

I’ve come to realise that my own core values and purpose are as strong as ever and if I’m not feeling myself, its generally been because one of my 3 core purposes of existence are missing. Here is a summary of what I have learned:

  • Authenticity – Always stay true to yourself. Don’t try to be someone that you’re not and definately dont compare yourself to others.
  • Integrity – Honesty and consistency of who you are are key.
  • Humility. Knowing when you got it wrong and admitting to it. No one is ever 100% correct all of the time and thats ok. Its ok to try something new and get it wrong, so long as we learn from it.
  • Constantly be learning how to improve to be a better husband, father, friend, colleague. Find what works best for you in terms of how to learn.
  • Happiness. The starting point of my 3 core puposes in life. If something has been making me unhappy, I always try to figure out whay, whats the reason for this so I can try to course correct it (if possible).
  • Trying to make others happy and improve with whatever that persons goal might be is important to me, but not if its to the detriment of my own happiness.
  • Controlling the controllables. Don’t create unnecessary anxiety by worrying about the things that are outside of my control. Easier said than done and one I still need to work on in 2024.
  • Taking opportunities. Try not to be afraid of failure. What’s the worst that can happen and how can you mitigate against this from happening.
  • Pushing yourself beyond what you think you are capable of.

What I LOVED

I’ve loved the fact that I have been able to create daily habits that have stuck throughout 2023. These include my daily morning habit of 50 push ups, 100 sit ups, learning Spanish on Duolingo and turning the shower to cold for the last 10 secs before I step out.

What’s interesting is that these were not necessarily new years resolutions, but I learned that if I wanted to get fit and learn a new language then it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. From reading the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, I came to realise that just starting to action something on a daily basis, no matter how small, will start a chain reaction that can help you to get to where you want to go. I’ve mentioned this book previously on my blog, and if you have not read it already, I would highly recommend it, especially if you are considering actioning any new year’s resolutions.

My habits that I want to instil in 2024 include sleeping better and more consistently. To aid me on this journey I intend read for at least 15 mins before I turn the light out.

I also want to continue on the healthy eating journey I’ve started with my wife following our awareness of the impact Ultra Processed Food can have on our health and happiness.


What I LIKED

Change is the one thing in life that you can be confident is going to happen.

For me, learning about myself has been one thing but I also have liked watching my children grow and evolve. They are both teenagers this year and I’m immensely proud of the journey that both of them have been on to date. Although they are growing up so quickly, at the end of the day, whatever changes get thrown at them, I want them to know how to handle whatever the situation is and seek happiness in whatever they want to do in life.

Final thought

Here is some music to kick start your year.

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Nik Dewar
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