What does it mean to Focus?

Focus.

Focus (noun) – the state or quality of having or producing a clear visual definition.

Focus (verb) – pay particular attention to.

Each an ideal definition for me.

I have been grabbing at ideas and gasping for air for several months now. Throwing spaghetti at the wall, if you will.

Last week was All Hallows Eve, and we took the little one trick-or-treating on a very blustery, muggy evening. It was odd weather for Connecticut, to say the least.

And then a few days later, just like that, it all changed. November and late Fall were definitely upon us! A few of the afternoons this week, it even looked like the sky could open up and begin snowing any moment … brrr!

Because of this delightful cold weather, it dawned on me – we have 61 days remaining until the end of the year. A mere 61 days left of a beautiful 365-day cycle – WOW. And what do I have to show for it?

Since the beginning, some of you have been with me, and well, you also know that this process of “progress, not perfection” is still moving along at a snail’s pace. At least there has been some progress!

All kidding aside, I do have this wonderful blog, learned tons of new social media tricks, and gained/earned 1700 [now 3000+] new friends on Twitter! I also have settled into a nice morning routine of quiet time with reflective reading and journal praying. Not a perfect year, but a pretty good one for the books!

However, as mentioned above, through this learning process, I have been randomly throwing ideas and advice that I have received at a wall as one would do with spaghetti, hoping that just one piece will stick, so I know that it is ready and is “right.”

And where has that gotten me? A big virtual mess on my wall AND floor!

Now what?

I need to FOCUS!

I have decided to simplify things; the last two months of 2019 will not be used to begin any new projects, but instead, I will use the time to tie up loose ends and wrap up those projects that are about 80% or 90% complete.

And the two secret ingredients to this grand idea?

Consistency (something I struggle with) and my morning quiet time!

The end result?

A happier me (which makes for a happier family) and a strong footing as I step into 2020!

What do you need to focus on?

With all of that said, my important goals to end the year strong happen to be work goals, but what are yours?

Do you want to end the year with changes that folks would normally begin with? Such as better eating, more exercise and the like? I suppose that those ideas are the “usual” suspects for change, but maybe you, too, are yearning to wrap up the loose ends and perhaps NOT start something new as we round out the year?

With the stress of the holidays and high expectations that seem to fall on our shoulders each year, now is the time to take care of yourself in a more “holistic” manner.

The five aspects of Holistic Health are – physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and mental.

Often we sail through the holidays and wait until the beginning of the year to make these huge changes in our lives. Almost like re-setting a clock, January 1st chimes in, and we re-set our habits, our eating, our exercise, etc., but why wait?!?

Why wait?

I have written about goals in a few posts, but in this one, we specifically talk about how it can take a human 21 days to ingrain a habit into our lives.

And frankly, this time around, I’m not really asking you to create three new habits over the next 60 or so days.

I am asking you to ENJOY the holidays, but not as you normally would – running around shopping, spending, and stressing yourself out. Is that really enjoying the holidays, anyway?

Try something new this year, keep your holidays simple. Take a page from one of the five aspects of holistic health – e.g., spiritual or mental.

Are there simple things that you can do to guide you through a calm holiday season? Such as taking a leisurely walk, watching a fun movie with the kids, listening to your favorite tunes [holiday or otherwise]?

Maybe something a little bigger? Perhaps you can agree with the adults in the family to spend less on each other and make time be “the gift” to each other this year?

What are your ideas to share?

Where else can we focus on tying up loose ends before the end of the year to step into the new year stronger? How else can we simplify the holiday season to take care of ourselves holistically?

I sincerely hope that my personal plan has sparked some inspiration and ideas on how or why you want to end this year strong!

The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.

Oprah Winfrey

Until next time … Peace and Blessings, Friends!