It’s can be hard to look at yourself and fairly assess your flaws. It’s actually easy to just avoid it altogether.
In my work of self awareness and recognition that I can’t continue in the methods that I have, my word of the year is ‘present’ to focus on Seth, my kids and balancing personal life time with work life time. I am not good at this.
I am a doer, I have worked since I was little and I always feel the need to be doing something. While this is a good trait to have, like many things, too much of a good thing can be detrimental. And really, in business, doing just to do doesn’t get you anywhere farther.
Here’s my goals to be more present for my family and for myself in 2024.
1. Put down my cell phone from 5-7 every night. Back in the bedroom where I can’t access it. This thing is a great tool but also a great detriment if you let it be.
2. Be PRESENT with my kids. Play more games, have more talks, do one on one dates. Truly stop and listen.
3. Serve my family better. Focus on making healthier meals and planning ahead. Finding ways that I can do things to delight and surprise, Seth and the kids. It doesn’t take much but to show someone we thought of them in small actions or words can make a huge difference.
4. Be ‘off work’ in the evenings and most of the weekend. I can tell I’m starting to tip towards burnout. Not because I don’t love it or that it’s hard, but because I don’t stop and take time to decompress and give my body and mind other things to be present in. My family needs me first and I need to work on that.
5. Get active and get healthy. I need to do this for myself and for my family. A healthier me gives a healthier Elizabeth for everyone around. I plan to start small and build. Drink 2 Stanley waters per day, walk 1 mile and make healthier food choices.
As Adeline reminds me often, we only have a limited amount of time left with our kids here in the house with us. I want to refocus my energies on them and Seth so that I don’t stand holding a bag of regret when they go off to college.
So in 2024. I will be more PRESENT. For Seth, for my kids and for my family first.
Do you have a word for 2024? Share it below in the comments.
