“365 new chances to make a difference, hug your loved ones, achieve a dream, or just love what you do. What will you do with YOUR 365 this year? Happy New Year – make it the one you’ve been waiting for!”
The above quote was a post that I did on January 1, 2014 for LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. I was in between watching college football bowl games and getting the grill ready for the evening meal, and just felt like sharing my feelings on the possibilities and promise of a new year. Sometimes when I write, I feel really inspired and hope to get a great response from a post or a blog. With this one, it was more of a catharsis and I really wasn’t concerned with any ripples in the pond from my words.
Boy was I wrong! Those 39 words apparently struck a chord with folks in my various networks because the YOUR 365 theme began to run quickly amongst dozens and dozens of posts, reposts and comments. The thoughts kept streaming in about it more than a week after New Year’s Day. Rather than me trying to inspire others (which is my real calling in life and one of my three spiritual gifts!), the responses to my year launching post have inspired me!
Today I spoke at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce’s “New Path” job seeker training session. This was the sixth time they have asked me to address and mentor to the group and it’s one of my favorites to work with! During the discussion, I showed the group a number and asked “Anyone know what this number means?” The graphic on the screen showed 3.8%… there were a few guesses but no one got the real meaning.
Then I showed them my post from New Year’s Day and someone from the back said “Today is Day 14 of 365 – that’s 3.8% of the year!” Spot on – they got it! The point I was making is that over 96% of the year remains a blank canvass, ready for each of them to paint their achievements in vibrant colors. Each of them has the time, the resources, the network and the skills to climb any mountain and reach new heights…IF they take advantage of each of their 365!
I told the New Path group about some of the posts that had been popping up with the YOUR (or MY) 365 reference included. These thoughts have come from a wide variety of subjects and various points of view. But what they have in common is that each person posting is now acutely aware of the impact they can have on their life, those around them, and their future by vividly living and absorbing every moment of each day!
Here are just a tiny sampling of the posts:
“This is Day 6 of MY 365 and today I’m going to start my work week off with a positive frame of mind. I used to hate Mondays, but no longer! Each day is part of my path to a fuller life by the end of 2014 – I will not waste any of them again!”
“Today is Day 8 of YOUR 365 (as Brad Raney said) and today I am going to phone, text or email all of my close friends who I can’t see in person and tell them how much their friendship means to me!”
“YOUR 365 – Day number 11. So far I am staying on my weight loss plan, eating better, working out (at least more than I used to!) and I’m 3% toward my goal weight…and I’m 3% into the year – right on track!”
“Good morning Day 12 of MY 365! I am going to church today, pray and worship God, and try not to get angry when my kids get distracted and want to draw on everything in the pew!”
What is YOUR 365 plan? What do you want to accomplish this year? Resolutions are often well intentioned but many fall by the wayside to early in the year. Rather than just making a resolution for change, build a plan with real check points, guide posts, and with a team around you that can help you achieve the end result you seek. Focus on each day – focus on each piece of the puzzle – stay in control of the process. Then, whether your objective is small, big, meaningful, light hearted, life changing or just learning a new sport or activity, you will see progress – and daily progress will keep you in the game for the long haul! Be keenly aware of YOUR 365 this year and you can make this year the one you’ve always wanted!
If I can help you build your plan or if you just want a sounding board for ideas, I’m here to help. Helping you is part of MY 365!! Happy New Year!
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The Morning Blend 