As I began drafting this post, I initially had the title “My New Year Goals”. However, over the years, my goals and achievements have resulted from a consistent routine that has helped me achieve my goals.
This routine has helped me live my best life while being able to achieve. My routine begins at 5:30 am. I invest 2.5–3 hours every day in items 1 through 3.
- Train like an athlete — I initially set out to lose 60 lbs. After achieving this, I train to keep my physical fitness top-notch to have the energy to travel more, connect with people, and embrace anything that comes my way. Cycling 85 minutes (32km) daily, squats, planks, weights, walking, sit-ups, and a healthy diet. Endorphins from this routine also help my mental health.
2. Expanding my Growth Mindset — I have always invested in my lifelong learning passion. I try to absorb 10–12 books a year to grow personally and professionally. I spend my own money on training and development courses. A mentor once told me to never limit my growth and career to my employer’s budget for training and development…take control of the pace you want to sustain. Now, I’m fortunate to be a mentor to several individuals in their development journey. In mentoring them, I also grow myself.
3. Self-care — I started this routine shortly after I began working out and improving my diet. I realized that I was not deliberately working on my mindfulness. Now I meditate, maintain a gratitude journal, and avoid overthinking. When you can manage calm breathing and clarity, you bring your whole self into any situation. I have solved many things by keeping control of my well-being.
“Happiness is a choice, not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy. No person will make you happy unless you decide to be happy. Your happiness will not come to you. It can only come from you.”
— Ralph Marston
4. Surround me with people that make me whole. Over the last year, I have reconnected with people I have not spent time with within the previous five years. The energy I got from being around them more than compensated for the people that judged me based on their perceptions of me. The last eight years have brought a lot of amazing mentors into my life that influenced my framework and where I am today.
Getting up at 5:30 am allows me to pay myself first. To prepare me for any challenge or opportunity that comes my way during the day.
My life and career speak for themselves.
People have classified me as an overachiever. Being marginalized has taught me I must be, or my disability becomes the excuse. This year, a lifelong friend commented that my disability somehow gifted me my achievements and/or relationships. Sadly, my career latter did not have a ramp. Maybe I make it look easy? I have had leaders remark on how natural it is for me to connect with everyone. The truth is that it’s neither easy nor natural. Rather a commitment to a daily growth routine in health, mind, and spirit. My routine ensures I will be ready when the opportunity comes.
“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” ~ Unknown
The truth is that I feel blessed to be able to do what I do. Living past my life expectancy taught me not to waste any precious time. Plus, I enjoy what I do. I’m not concerned about what I will achieve this year, resulting from committing to myself.
This year do not set a New Year's resolution. This year do not set static goals. This year commit to a routine; commit to yourself!
