Jeff’s Journal
By Jeff Whitaker
To say we’ve been through a crazy couple of years is putting it mildly. In fact, if the truth be told some of you reading this are still feeling the effects of it all. But as we come to the end of 2022, there are some timeless principles I’ve picked up that can help us all head into 2023 with renewed strength and anticipation.
This is not the first time I’ve shared some of these ideas, but if you’ve heard them before, it can never hurt to be reminded. No matter where you find yourself right now, it’s important to pause and reflect on your life. By looking back we can learn from what we’ve all experienced. You may think it’s just too painful to look back or maybe you want to just forget it all.
But no matter what your circumstances, there is much we can all learn from these past couple of years. For me, the biggest lesson I’ve gotten out of this experience personally is that there are many things we can’t control and because we can not control them, we should stop trying. On the other hand there are many things we can control and that is where our energy and focus should lie.
We’ve all heard that experience is the best teacher. And we’ve all experienced enough since 2020 to last a lifetime. But my mentor John Maxwell says experience is not necessarily the best teacher. Rather it is an evaluated experience. You and I can experience all kinds of things and not learn a thing. I’m sure, like me you’ve said to yourself many times this past year, “Why did I do THAT again? What was I thinking?” “I don’t understand why ‘they’ are doing that?” It’s fine to ask questions. In fact, it’s good to ask questions. But it shouldn’t stop there. There has to be evaluation.
So, as 2022 draws to a close in a few short weeks, I suggest you take some time and look back on this year. It might help if you pull out a piece of paper and write down the major and maybe not so major events of this year along with the decisions you’ve made and experiences you’ve had. Then be honest and ask yourself what worked and what didn’t. What can you do the same and what can you do differently in 2023?
Here is what will happen. When you do this, it will give you a baseline to evaluate what needs to change or what direction you need to head in if you want to see personal or professional growth in the new year. Reflection can be a powerful part of setting you on the right track for a preferred future. Let’s do this together and reap the benefits in the new year ahead.
Jeff Whitaker is a veteran broadcaster here in South Jersey. He now draws on his experience and training to work with companies and individuals to develop effective storytelling, communications and leadership skills. Find free resources and ways Jeff can work with you at jeffwhitaker.com
