It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the end of 2021. The last 12 months have been anything but expected; however, they’ve taught the world what it’s like to be human. This year has been a great reality check for me, and I believe it has helped me grow into a better person. As I look ahead to what comes next in 2022, I recognize the strength and the growth this year has brought me, which has allowed me to progress to this point. As such, I’d like to share my gratitude for 2021 with you as well as some lessons I’ve learned this year.
The Importance of Gratitude
When life throws curveballs at you, it can be extremely difficult to be conscious of the good things in life that take place. However, this year has reiterated the importance of expressing gratitude regularly. I don’t know where I’d be without the love and support of those around me, so I’d like to take the opportunity to voice my gratitude.
This year, I have been very blessed to have connected with so many great people: business partners, clients, and friends alike. All my connections are truly high-quality people, and I admire that we all have the same goal in mind: to take things on in a partnership approach and use our time working together to make the world a better place. In today’s world, you don’t really know what you’re going to get when you meet new people, so I am particularly thankful for the ability to be aware, gravitate towards good people, and create new connections!
Additionally, I’m extremely grateful for good health and the health of my kids, wife, mother, brother, and friends. In an uncertain year where health is always on the back of our minds, I’m very blessed to have great health for my family.
For me, good health isn’t always physical - my Christian faith also means the world to me, and I am grateful for the strong faith I’ve been able to nurture this year. Like many others, I have been presented with some hardships over these last 12 months, and I’ve found myself to be more confident and stronger in these storms due to my faith. Truth be told, I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have the strength to give up my struggles to the One that’s higher, but I’m so glad I don’t have to think about that.
I can’t say I’m perfect (nobody is), but 2021 helped me to be a better person when I realized all I needed to do was express gratitude regularly to stay afloat.
Which leads me to the greatest lesson I learned this year…
Take Time to Slow Down!
I get it, 2021 felt like great freedom compared to last year’s lockdowns, which meant that things picked up again. As much as I loved being able to get back into the swing of things, the best thing I learned to do this year was to slow down. Believe it or not, taking time to slow down and show appreciation for those around you is crucial not only to your happiness and wellbeing, but to those around you as well.
I won’t lie and say I haven’t had challenges this year (after all, life isn’t totally rosy), but I’ve found power and success in taking an extra minute each day to step back and slow down. As the owner of Power CFO, I’ve learned that I’m spending way too much time in the business instead of growing the business. When I slow down, I’m able to determine what can be delegated to others so I can have a better balance in both my work and personal life to be able to grow the business more.
Personally, I learned to slow down even more. I realized that I needed to show that I appreciate the relationships around me, and I encourage everyone to do the same. Though it can sometimes be an afterthought, true power comes from showing people that they matter and are important to you, loving on others, and being authentic with those around you. Sometimes, you don’t think about these things if you don’t slow down, but when you realize this, you learn to understand this is how people should be treated and it’s how they want to be treated.
Another easy way to slow down and illustrate appreciation include giving your undivided attention to the people and things around you. Not only does this allow you to connect more personally with your loved ones, but it also allows the emotional IQ to peek through, providing perspective in places you might not normally see it and opening up the vast opportunities in the world around you. We have the power to make lasting connections that quite literally change the world as we know it, but we can’t do that if we don’t take care of ourselves and others first.
Believe me - it’s absolutely okay to slow down a bit and focus on what's right.
Overall, 2021 has been magical to say the least - I truly feel as though my life is a puzzle that is coming together rather well. As we transition into 2022, my hope is to continue this feeling and be able to help others feel the same way. I wish you a happy, healthy, and successful new year, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.
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