We have a few days left of this year, and then it’ll be 2021.
No one really knows what’s going to happen.
I think 2021 will be different from 2020, but not so much. Many thought this year was really bad. They assume next year will be better.
I’m not so sure. First, I’m not convinced 2020 was that bad, and I’m not convinced 2021 is going to be a whole lot better.
Why would it?
But then...I’m not really staying positive, am I?
No one really knows what’s going to happen.
I think 2021 will be different from 2020, but not so much. Many thought this year was really bad. They assume next year will be better.
I’m not so sure. First, I’m not convinced 2020 was that bad, and I’m not convinced 2021 is going to be a whole lot better.
Why would it?
But then...I’m not really staying positive, am I?
The Numbers
I think we’re all going to have amazing potential to make 2021 a very positive year in our own, personal lives.
I believe this will start right on January 1, as we enter the power of the ‘1’ month in numerology, coupled with the ‘5’ energy of the overall 2021 year (2+0+2+1 = 5).
There’s going to be fast moving energy beginning in January, so take advantage of it to make fast and positive changes in your life.
February should prove a more emotional month than usual, while March will invite you to express yourself.
April might have you feeling conflicted, which would be a good time to sit down, identify the negative holding you back, and get rid of it. May will be a very fast month, one full of dramatic people. Do you really need to join in on their theatrics and hysterics? No.
Miracle Ideas
I’ve been thinking about the “13 miracle ideas” in this book by Mitch Horowitz that came out this past summer.
I think these ideas, or habits, are going to be very important for people the world over to adopt in January if they want to make 2021 the good year they want it to be.
Here are those ideas:
- Stay focused on one core aim with absolute precision
- Create a total environment under your rules
- Radical self-responsibility in keeping your word and honoring commitments
- Solidarity in a true cause to service
- Have honorable speech, and avoid rumor, gossip and frivolous opining
- Get away from cruel people
- Choose people that fortify you
- Spend money only on what enhances your ability to make more
- Don’t divide energies or dwell on frivolous projects
- Increase your physical strength and vitality
- Opposition is a channel to effective growth
- Find a spiritual path that works for you
- Honor your natural authority - don’t conform to gain security or prestige
Effective Habits
I think it’s going to more important than ever in this new year to have good habits that actually help you.
Steven Covey is another motivational author to think about. I read his book Principle-Centered Leadership five years ago, but one that might be better for many today is his The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People.
The book came out in 1989 and has managed to sell 25 million copies. The 7 habits are:
- Be proactive: act positively to improve the situation
- Begin with the end in mind
- Urgent tasks come first, everything else can be planned, delegated or eliminated
- Think win-win: wins for all benefit more long-term than wins for just one side
- First understand, then be understood: ethos, pathos and logos
- Synergize: use the strength of teamwork to accomplish goals easily
- Sharpen the saw: exercise, prayer, reading
Declutter & Give
Something else that I think is critical to staying positive as we move forward into a new year is reducing the amount of stuff you have.
Our drawers are full, our garages are overflowing, and many of us think we need storage units.
I think it’d be better for us all if we simply took two boxes and filled them up with things we no longer need or want.
Then set it out by the dumpster or garbage cans. Here in Missoula I do this several times a year with things large and small. Passersby on my busy street pick them up 90% of the time.
If that won’t work for you, I’m sure the Salvation Army or Goodwill or some kind of YMCA or other charity will take them, and give them to people that could actually use them.
I made it a point to tell people to not get me things for Christmas this year. I got some money, an electronic gift card, a box of chocolate, and a Kindle (the only thing I actually asked for).
In other words, didn’t get anymore junk that I now have to find a spot for in my overflowing home and garage.
I think so many of us have allowed the marketing firms and the network TV stations they advertise to bamboozle us into thinking we have to ‘have it all’ and ‘get everything,’ especially around this time of year. I often think this type of mindset of continually consuming despite no need actually makes us more unhappy.
Life is about more than buying and spending.
Like giving.
Consider giving some of your time or money this year to charities are others in need.
There are lots of bad stories in the news right now. Chances are good a lot more will show up.
You don’t have to read them. You don’t have to follow the news at all, if it’s making you feel more negative than positive.
Focus on the things in your day-to-day life and your household, not what’s happening hundreds or thousands of miles away.
If you do that, I think you’ll feel better and be happier.
No one really knows what’s going to happen in 2021.
But you have the power to make it a great year for you personally. Stay positive - it’ll happen!
