Goal Setting for 2023

With 2023 on the horizon, I can’t help thinking about my goals for next year.

Over the past year or two I’ve really been grappling with the idea of goal setting. I’ve written a few blogs on this very topic.

I’m a person who has always believed in the power of setting big goals and working to meet them. I set intentions, have vision boards, and create bucket lists. This causes me to accomplish a lot - often through sheer determination, lack of sleep, and will - but I’m often left feeling disappointed.

I’m disappointed if I fall short of the goal, even if I miss it by a little. When I overachieve, I’m disappointed that I set my original goal too low. It means I didn’t dream big enough. Very rarely do I land exactly where I aim to be. So, I’m often disappointed. And that’s no way to live.

So, in talking to my husband, Brandon, I decided that this year I would implement a yoga approach.

Two essential elements of yogic philosophy include abhyasa (persistent effort) and vairagya (non-attachment to the result). The idea is that you give 100% to whatever task you’re doing but remain detached from the outcome. It isn’t the result of the effort that matters, but the effort itself.

In my yoga practice, this works great. I show up every day, giving my best. I’m never going to be super bendy or Instagram-worthy, and it doesn’t matter. The joy, relaxation, and stress-relief I get from my practice is worth the effort.

In my career and every-day life, I think another way. I still have an achiever mindset. I rush around, trying to accomplish a lot, and life can be quite hectic. That balance I achieve in yoga is not achieved elsewhere.

So, this year, I’m aiming to be different. I have decided to adopt yoga philosophy into my entire life.

This type of mindset is challenging for most people, no matter which end of the spectrum a person falls. It’s challenging for those who are task and goal oriented, to let go of the final result. It is challenging for people who aren’t motivated to put in 100% effort. However, like all things yoga, the key is finding balance.

For me, this balance is going to include a professional development course in January. I’m a learner and I still want to learn. I still have business contracts I’m going to fill and will do so to the best of my ability. I am still going to eat healthy and go to the gym 4 times a week.

What I’m not going to do is set any expectations. I’m not aiming to achieve a certain number in any part of my life. I’m just going to put forth persistent effort in everything I do. And I’m going to let go of the result.

I am not sure how this experiment will go. A change in philosophy or mindset is hard to do. Yet, I’m tired of striving and being disappointed in the result.

It is time to try something new.

For 2023, I am going to (and invite you to) put in a strong effort and let go of the result.

I’m curious to know how this experiment will turn out.

My hypothesis is that embedding this philosophy into my life will bring less stress, more enjoyment, and balance. I don’t think it will be easy, but I’m willing to give it a go. Because who doesn’t want a year like that?!

Best wishes, Lauren