You already know. Every year I dedicate time to do two things:
- Reflect on the prior year — usually by scrolling through my phone and pulling out the memories that were important to me…and then writing it all out. I’ve been doing this for 14+ years…so if you really sleuth in these web streets, you will find them all😅 Similar to last year, I did lengthy reflection on 2023 — but you won’t find it on my public page. If I know you on a personal level and you are curious, just drop a line and I will share a direct link.
- Set my intentions for the upcoming year — for the past 6+ years, in place of a formal new years resolution I’ve selected a word of the year. My word is intended to guide how I approach navigating the year — from relationships, to work, to my personal goals. Usually the word just comes to me…and I run with it.
Some years I’ve only had time to do an hour or two of this of reflection. And some years, I’ve had a healthy amount of days to do it. This year I blocked off this last Saturday of the year to reflect and dream on the next year.
So it’s time to get into 2024…or shall I say, twenty twenty more?
✨2024: Abundance (also dubbed, “2020 More”)
Every year when the word comes my way, it is gifted to me. The best way I can explain it is that one moment I’m doing nothing…and the next there is a phrase that is repeatedly going off in my head. And I just know I have to be prepared for whatever it’s telling me.
So when the overall theme and word came this year…I didn’t fully grasp what it was. We were in a kickoff call for a new client where I just blurted it out that my next word and declaration for the year, was for twenty twenty more. And as soon as I said it — it just felt right. Once I left the meeting the words and my vision for what that could like like started flowing…so this piece was actually started before my reflection, and a little earlier than planned!
But now that I have completed my reflection on 2023 — I have fully clarity for what I want my next year to be about…and why.
It’s my year of abundance.
I have spent my life sacrificing some of my wants, desires, and dreams in exchange for being in service to others. And I truly believe that’s a part of who I am, so I will continue to serve others.
But — 2023 (also dubbed, #2020Free) was also the first year in a long time that I got to pour back into me. And protect and grow my needs and desires. And I recognize that the season is ripe to reap the benefits of my past physical, emotional, and mental labor done — for others, and for myself.
So this year, I’m declaring and openly receiving what I have searched, worked, and fought for.
In terms of how this happens in practice, I’m going to deviate slightly from my traditional personal / romance / family / friends segmentation. Those will naturally be integrated into what I share…but vision is going to look a little different.
🙋🏾♀️More: Owning my Joy
Over the years, I’ve shared more of me in disparate places. Sure, you can visit my LinkedIn or read parts of my what, when, and how in different articles. But outside of my blog(s) and sharing directly with friends, family, and teammates…I’ve never put a lot of attention, or intention, to publicly owning my story.
It’s work that I tend do really diligently for others, but never dedicated the proper space or energy to creating for myself. In 2024, my hope is for people to see more of me.
🔑What I believe that will look like in practice
- Building my Personal brand — I’m really excited about this. My co-founder, Quinnton J Harris, developed a really thoughtful exercise to help me define it. Everything from my why, to how it manifests tonally and visually, all the way to starting to map it into a full experience. I truly feel blessed to have someone who has seen me in many stages and forms to help me bring this to life in way that is fully, authentically, and genuinely me.
- Publicly Sharing my story — So yes, while my blogs will always be a platform to get to me…I’m going to be a bit more strategic. And for the first time, I’m going to have a personal website. Stay tuned.
📝 More: Receipts
Beyond the brand — it’s one thing to build, share it, and declare it. But it’s a whole other thing for people to believe it.
To be clear — I’m not interested in validation for validations sake. However, it’s important that I can do more than just tell, I need to actively show people the receipts. In doing so, my hope is to continually attract more people, opportunities, and experiences that are in alignment with my why.
🔑 What I believe that will look like in practice
- Public Recognition — This may be through press and thought leadership, It could be through speaking engagements. It could be through awards. And it could also be through word of mouth. But more recognition for who I am, with what I do. Not just one or the other.
- Monetarily — For what I have invested in learning, teaching, and sacrificing over the past few years will come in material ways, with monetary value attached. This may be through paid speaking engagements, services I publicly offer, or other channels. And it may come through the type of opportunities and work that we are able to attract and create with Retrospect. Honestly, I hope it’s all of the above.
- With Others — I plan to share more of what I can tactically do by providing support and services to other people. I want others to tangibly recognize and benefit from the contributions of my skillset. And be willing to share, or socialize, the impact unsolicited.
🤲🏾 More: Support
And to realize any of this abundance, I will continue to need just as much — if not more — support from those who know me, my intentions, and my goals.
🔑 What I believe that will look like in practice
- Support with Family — There’s still so much to be figured out. But I know I will need a collective level of support from my immediate family, extended family, close friends, and professionals.
- Emotional Support — It’s easy enough to do process things and be vulnerable after the fact…but I want to do a better job of sharing and asking for + receiving support real-time when I am struggling.
- Spiritual Support — In the same way that I have been building a social and professional community, I think it is just as important that I build a spiritual community who can help to keep me accountable to how what I’m doing is or isn’t aligned to my relationship with God.
💕 More: Love
And last, but certainly not least…I want an abundance of love.
- Romantic — I want to attract a love that can only be mine. I want to create a list of what I want in a partner, from everything about their relationship to food and appreciation for my systematic way of communicating all the way to the type of freedom I will have to build and be my own person, while we build in partnership together. I’ve never actually written it down. So in 2024, I plan to make “the list.” And then, I want to pray on it, and for it. And then, I want to share it with close friends to ask for introductions to prospective partners who could be a match. And who knows — If I’m bold enough, I might just post it publicly as well.
- Friends and community — I want to have a year that is filled with doing more of the things I love, with the people I love, through creating experiences and memories that we will continually love.
And that’s about it.
This year, I’m not only going to receive what comes my way — but I’m also going to actively ask for it, and seek it out. And I’m optimistic. I have no idea how it will pan out — but I’m excited to take the next steps to make it there.
And if you see any immediate ways to help with any of the above, please let me know. I’m open.
Thank you again for the time to read this. Wishing you a Happy New Year 🎇✨!
