As 2021 starts, one looks back at what 2020 was and wonders. It has been an interesting year to say the least. But, just like every day is a new opportunity, today particularly, brings with it hope for a better way ahead.

I am going to cut to the chase without a lot of flowery language and questions and information that tries to pull you into a purchase at the end of the post that seemingly takes forever to get to. In fact, there is nothing to purchase at the end (or the middle, or the beginning for that matter). This post is only to get you (and me) thinking.

We could spend a lot of time thinking about what we lost in 2020, what we didn’t do that we wanted to do, or get stuck reminiscing in those areas we failed – yes, failed. But don’t do that. Recognize and acknowledge it if last year was not what you wanted it to be and let that recognition be the catalyst that drives you to action. Over the next couple of weeks, I am going to post about making positive change and sticking with it. I am going to try to help make that change, whatever it is, easier to start and easier to stick with.

This is not going to be a “name it and claim it” self-help program. I am not going to tell you that you can be or do anything you want. I am going to help you figure out what and how to navigate the future starting with just today and today only. And it doesn’t matter if today is the first day of a new year, or the first day that you decide enough is enough and it is time to do better. We are going to start this journey right now.

Decide you will accept success, not failure. That does not mean we will never fail, for we surely will fail sometimes. Just choose not to accept failure and that when you do fail, you will try that much harder next time. Start today by picking one small thing. We are not going to lose 15 pounds, or commit to journaling every day, or exercising five days per week. We are just going to do one good thing today. I will get into this in another post, but one reason new year resolutions fail is that people become overwhelmed at the commitment. That is why all I ask is that you do one good thing for yourself today.

I have several things I want to do this year but if I tried to do it all on day one, I would probably quit on day two, maybe day three. I will go over planning out the year, goal-setting, developing good habits, and change over the next few weeks. All of those are processes and tackling everything all at once is a recipe for disaster.

For me, my positive thing for today is to increase my (good) fluid intake. Now you see that and think, “What, are you serious?” Absolutely! This is why. My overall goal is to improve my health, conditioning, stamina, and weight. But if I put that as my goal and tried to make a radical change to do it all, the truth is I would probably get frustrated when I did not see radical and immediate change. So, in order to see immediate success, I now keep a water bottle on my desk. It is a one-liter bottle and my goal is to fill and drink it all by lunch, then repeat in the afternoon. I can do this every day as I leave the bottle on my desk in front of my computer monitor. Does this meet my ultimate goal? No, but it gets me started down that road. Proper hydration helps you get rid of waste, helps regulate temperature, lubricates and cushions joints, and protects sensitive tissues.

There are things I did today that I will continue, but as a commitment for today, not as a new year resolution. TODAY I spent 5 minutes in silence. You can call it meditation, quiet time, or whatever, but I just sat still and cleared my mind for 5 minutes. I also spent 10 minutes reading. I chose to read Proverbs Chapter 1 from the Bible. Religious or not, I challenge you to read that one chapter with an open mind. And, I spent a couple of minutes writing some things down in a notebook. More to follow on that!

There will come a time in the near future where I will offer paid content and training, links to products and tools I find useful, personal coaching, speaking engagements, and consulting. But that is for later and the one promise I will make now is that I will not drag you through a lot of what you see in online sales and pitches. There will be some, but only to explain the offering. I will not repeat myself for 20 minutes like you see in the infomercials where you have to listen the whole time to get to the offer. My explanations will be clear, quick, and concise and you can take it or leave it.

Best wishes to all for a great new year. But if the year is going to be great, you have to decide you will be engaged in the process of making it great. It will not “just happen.”

For those about to leave the military, or a job you currently hold, you should already be preparing for the next game.  I really enjoyed watching the Super Bowl last night and heard somebody talk about taking the break after the game, but already having a plan to get ready for next year.  This is a really important step.

I saw a friend of mine the other night.  He is a month and a half into his “Terminal Leave,” using the last of his earned vacation time, but no longer having to report for duty.  He said something I hear many who leave the military say, “I have about a month of pay and benefits left, but then I have to find my next job.”  Now he is a good friend, a great leader, and someone I really respect, but in that moment, he showed me he was not “In the game.”  He was not prepared for the next step in his life, and frankly, that puts him and his family at risk.  Now in all honest, it is easy for me to point this out as I did the same thing, and more than once.  Sometimes, it is really hard to stay in the game.

Unfortunately, with the current job market, taking a break or a breather can really cause problems in getting that next job.  I really believe the best time to find a new job is when you actually have a job.  Now I fully encourage you to give your best effort to your current employer, but if you are ready to move on, spend your personal time looking for the next opportunity.  There is not nearly the pressure of finding the new position when you have money coming in and benefits to support you and your family.  Sometimes easier said than done, I know.  I left my last position over things going on in the business that in my mind I could simply not support.  As such, I left without having the next job lined up.  This puts a lot more pressure on me.

Be very active in your job search and put in place the habit and routine of looking for and applying for positions.  Do something every day!  Don’t forget to network with friends, former colleagues, and others as they are really the best source of jobs.

Another problem I see is when a lot of people leave the military, they lose or give up some things.  There is no more accountability.  There is nobody who is going to call you on not showing up for Physical Training in the morning, or for not showing up to work.  I have seen some of the most disciplined people simply fall apart.  One of the key things I find is the necessity of keeping a routine, or, “Staying in the Game!”  So maybe you don’t do PT every day, but back off to three days a week.  Staying physically active is good for the body and soul.  It gives you a sense of accomplishment.  Again, this is one of those lessons of experience.  Actively managing your time is another important task.  If you don’t manage your time, it will manage you.  If you don’t take steps to keep your life in balance, it will quickly fall out of balance.  I just published a short eBook (Time Management and Life Balance)to address just these issues.  It is available on Amazon for purchase.  It is an easy and short read with recommendations and steps I took to solve this same problem I was facing.  Whether you get this book, or find another plan, I just really encourage you to get and stay in the game.

Funny thing about life…the only constants are death, taxes, and CHANGE!

I’m not going to talk about death or taxes.  I am going to talk about change.  My wife says that change to me is “Pain followed by agony followed by torture!”  I have to admit, she is mostly right on this one.  I really don’t like change that much.  But, when you are in the military, or a first responder, or even an elite athlete, you will have to face the facts that you will likely have a change in careers at some point.

Think about it:

Military – only a small percentage of those in the military stay in long enough to “retire” at 20 years.  And of those that retire, the vast majority find themselves looking for a new career field.  There are some careers that translate pretty closely to careers outside the military, but often, military members find themselves having to rethink their long term career goals.  The bottom line here is that everyone leaves the military.  The problem I faced was that being in the military was all I really ever wanted to do.  Facing the huge change of not being in the military any more was overwhelming!

First Responders – You all work just as hard or harder as those in the military.  The dangers you face are often as great.  The possibility of something happening to you either in training or on the job that could end your career as a first responder is high.  You too should have the Plan B, or what do I want to do if something happens that keeps from doing First Responder work.  The toll on your families is also hard.  The hours and expectations have wrecked havoc on many families.

Athletes:  I watch young people who only want to grow up and be an Olympian or professional athlete all the time.  For those that make it, their careers are usually not that long.  Even for those who make it into the elite where compensation is extremely good will need to have another plan when their body forces them to change from competing to finding something else to fill their time.

Something you find in common with everyone above is that many are Type-A personalities.  They are driven to success and you don’t generally find they have the need to be actively engaged in something.  So here is the point.  You should expect that at some point in your life, you are going to have to face the change of not doing what you love to do.  You need to be open to finding that next “love” and preparing for it in advance.  You need to learn how to drive change and not let change drive you!

Your changes in life will come, like it or not.  Will you be ready for them?