My Main Reflection
So, I have to say that I’ve never been fond of resolutions, especially the New Years variety. What’s the point of waiting until a certain date to start becoming resolute, whether that be the beginning of another year or not? I’ve learned the hard way that if you want to do something, then you should start right away. There’s no point in waiting for the ‘right time.’ You’re going to learn more valuable lessons by trying and failing than by thinking and studying in a vacuum. This has been my biggest takeaway from 2023. You must accept failures as a part of life, but you don’t have to accept failure as the end result. If you see your failings as a springboard to propel you to greater heights, then you’re employing a growth mindset where the possibilities become endless.
The Good
- First and foremost, I consider myself very fortunate because of the people in my life. I have a family that is my squad and I would do anything for. I also have friends who are second to none. Their support and love has carried me through problems that I wouldn’t have been able to shoulder myself. The meaningful relationships in my life will always be my greatest accomplishment. That being said, I do have a couple other happenings that I am feeling good about as this year comes to a close.
- I have started my own business (FIT4YOUCHICAGO), and after a year in the trenches, I feel like I’m starting to gain some momentum. I’ve never been an entrepreneur. I’ve never had an online presence. And I’ve never been an online entrepreneur. So learning how to do all three at the same time has been a daunting task to say the least, but like anything, the more you put in the more you get out. The learning curve is real, but it’s getting easier by the day, and my confidence grows with it.
- My health has been dialed in all year. At 41 years old, this is the best I’ve ever felt. I have locked in my morning and night routines, my intake- both liquid and solid- is good and only getting better, and my training is constantly evolving.
The Bad
- Did I mention that I started my own business?? It seems like I’m talking myself off the ledge on a weekly, if not daily basis. Being an entrepreneur is tough, especially when you have no idea what you are doing ha! It’s been the hardest thing that I’ve had to do, and to be honest I still am unsure if I’m headed in the right direction. I do know that I have made it my mission to find success with my business, so I am trying to stay positive, learn as much as I can, and keep things simple.
- Like many people out there, I struggle with my mental health. For years I harbored the typical male mindset: suck it up, buttercup! This is obviously problematic, and its roots stem from the stigma that men shouldn’t express emotion, specifically if it will make them look and seem weak. I now know that this is a toxic way to live. Everyone needs to take care of themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. It will look different from person to person, but I have started to realize that seeking help is not a weakness but a strength. It takes time to pivot this perspective, but it’s worth the work.
Things to Come
- Continue to grow as a human being. Every night before I go to bed I repeat the same thing: be better tomorrow. This seems simple or even insignificant, but it’s a nightly reminder to stay present and not let the past dictate who I am when I wake up in the morning. It also helps to keep me humble by reminding me that I am not infallible. No matter how well you are doing there is always room for improvement. Keep yourself humble!
- Continue to grow my business. I’m learning very quickly that building your own brand is a game of inches or sometimes centimeters. Patience is key!
- Continued education within the health and fitness field. I am truly passionate about what I do, and like I said above, I will never be done trying to be better. Along with this, I am excited to further pursue stress management techniques that will help me heal and grow mentally. The mind is very complex with a new frontier of neuroscience being developed as we speak. There are so many things still to learn!
My Final Thought
With everything that has happened this year, I find myself wanting to grow as a person more than anything. I don’t know if I believe in karma or not, but I am starting to believe that keeping a positive attitude and being a good person are the best ways to find success as a human being. I’ve also found that I am gravitating towards people who have a similar mindset as myself. Comfort zones kill. Let’s grow together.
2024 is going to be our year!!
GET FIT!
Sean