Emotions can run high at this time of the year, as Christmas approaches and with the end of the year not too far away.
Are you counting down the days to 2021? A new year with new possibilities, new hope and renewed optimism—where the challenges of 2020 can be put behind us.
Do you wonder what the New Year will have in store for you? Will this be the year that you finally follow your dreams and aspirations and achieve your goals in life? I sure hope so!
Will 2021 bring back some normality and all the things we’ve missed in our daily lives?
Whether making New Year resolutions is your thing or not, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what’s worked for you during 2020, to celebrate your achievements and make plans for the year ahead.
“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but for potential.” ~ Ellen Goodman
Three of my Celebrated Achievements of 2020
Losing Six Kilos in Weight
Pandemic weight gain refers to a social acceptance of weight gain during the pandemic.
Life in lockdown has disrupted all our lives, and a substantial number of people gained a lot of weight during this period. Working from home increases the need to panic buy and leads to feelings of guilt about what we’ve eaten—or the exercise we haven’t done.
In a study earlier this year, by King’s College London and Ipsos MORI, 48% of respondents said they’d gained weight during lockdown. The same percentage reported feeling more anxious or depressed than usual, and 29% admitted to drinking more alcohol.
I used lockdown to manage my time more effectively. I created a daily routine and structure, which enabled me to spend more time exercising and preparing healthy meals. This resulted in me losing six kilos, which is the most svelte I’ve been in over ten years. This fantastic feeling gave me the impetus to make changes in all areas of my life, which I’ve maintained throughout the year.
Amazon Best Selling Author; Confidence: How To Have It And Keep It
Hunkering down on January 1st, 2020, New Year’s Day, setting out my vision for the coming year, I have to admit that being the co-author of a book wasn’t on the list.
However, I was encouraged by my mentors, Chris and Karene Lambert-Gorwyn, to get involved with this project, which brought together experts who imparted advice usually reserved for high-paying clients.
In the book, I reflect on times in my life where I felt low in confidence and how I managed to overcome those mental, emotional and physical challenges. I draw on this experience to guide individuals towards building their own confidence, to make successful and life-changing decisions in both their personal and professional lives.
Did You Know Reading Books Can Increase Your Lifespan?
A report published in the journal ‘Social Science & Medicine’ proves just that, when comparing adults who don’t read books with those who read up to 3½ hours each week.
Those who read were 17 % less likely to die over the 12-year follow-up. In further contrast, those who read for more than 3½ hours every week were 23% less likely to die; overall, they lived almost two years longer.
Walking and exercising helped me to lose weight during the pandemic. I live in Chesterfield, famous for the Crooked Spire; before lockdown, I wasn’t aware of the glorious scenery in my area. I largely viewed the environment from the comfort of my car.
On foot, I can take in the views and lush green spaces. I discovered walking paths, routes along the Chesterfield Canal, not forgetting access to the Peak District, which is a given.
I was already a big fan of Audible, with its large selection of audio books. I went into Audible ecstasy and combined my walks with listening to audio books. Let me share with you three of my top audio books that I discovered during lockdown.
The Saint, the Surfer and the CEO, by Robin Sharma
An extraordinary story about ‘Living Your Heart’s Desires’! A practical and powerful process to recreate your life and reconnect with your best self. I highly recommend this book.
Three Feet from Gold Turn Your Obstacles Into Opportunities, by Sharon L. Lechter
This remarkable book shares key success principles of Napoleon Hill’s bestselling book ‘Think and Grow Rich’.
We so often give up on our dreams and goals when we’re close to achieving them. Again, a great book, and I had the pleasure of participating in a live Q&A Sharon hosted as part of the BNI University Business Booster training.
Man’s Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl describes how he and others in Auschwitz coped (or didn’t) with the experience.
He observed that it was the men who cared about others, and that those who gave away their last piece of bread survived longer. He offered evidence that everything can be taken from us apart from the ability to choose our beliefs in any circumstance.
Only those who allowed their inner hold on their moral and spiritual selves to subside eventually fell victim to the camp’s degenerating influence—compared to those who turned the experience into an inner triumph.
If you’re feeling disappointed about your year, if you’re uncertain about your future and you’re curious to know how you will benefit from working with me, get in touch to book your free 40-minute consultation.
Telephone 07967 052585 or email enquiries@mikelawrence.co.uk
Working from home means many business leaders and employees feel isolated; others experience overwhelm and burnout, or never stop working. He has strategies to protect and support you and your colleagues’ health and wellbeing.
Visualise stepping off a plane after an 8-hour trip from the 30 degrees heat from the Caribbean into a 6-degree cold, rain and the blustery UK just as the clocks have gone back.
Have you ever felt burdened down by your past decisions?
