The panic and fear of COVID-19 made my life very chaotic this year. I was challenged adapting to the many changes during tax season, February through April. My thought process was that I could not take any more change that I usually dealt with. Later I did realize that I did take the change and rolled with it, with more resistance that I cared for. I am so very thankful that this year over. However, I refuse to let that chaos reign in the upcoming year. Recently I took some time to review the mental tools that I have to get back in charge of my life.
Here are the steps that I will be taking:
Identify what I am in control of. I am in control of my attitude, my time, my actions and my reactions. I need to remember that. Each morning I will set my attitude for the day. I will make a list of what I want to accomplish that day. I promise to refer to it throughout the day. At the end of the day, I will mentally review my day and see how well I did. I plan to use my annual, monthly, weekly and daily planner more than I have. I will also be asking those around me to use some of these tools, since I am relying on them to help accomplish my goals.
Make conscious decisions. When I am not looking someone steals my time and energy. So before answering a question, looking at an email, answering a phone call – I will stop and ask myself if this is the best thing for me to do. Then determine the best answer for me. I will also structure my time and my surroundings each day for my success.
Take care of myself. I started exercising daily this year. I will continue to do so. I will also take more time to stop and listen to my body; sleep when I am tired, eat when I am hungry and crawl under a blanket in my favorite chair next to my husband when I need to relax and recharge. I will evaluate daily with my planner as to how well I kept this promise.
Celebrate! I will measure and note the small accomplishments. I have a tendency to focus on what I haven’t accomplished. It leaves me feeling inadequate and not capable. Daily I write down 3 things I am excited for. I also write down the 3 best things that happened or were completed that day. Those habits change my attitude to the positive.
Roll with the punches. I like consistency. I have lived in the same house for the last 30 years. Being a mom to my boys taught me to not fight change and roll with the punches. I will check with my patience level 3 times a day during my workweek. If my patience is low and my frustration is high, I am fighting change. Time to stop and restart.
Be me. I don’t need to follow the crowd. I don’t need to watch and believe the news. I am allowed to follow my heart.
I am planning for a wonderful year in my business and in my personal life in 2021! I wish you one too!
Mary Guldan-Lindstrom, CPA
