What if, instead of “New Year, New You,” you decided you were satisfied with the course you had already set?
What if you’re already happy with who you are?
This doesn’t have to mean you have to stop improving. Change and growth are healthy. It just means: if you were already doing the right things in the “old” year—wouldn’t you want to keep doing them?
For me, challenge is one of my values. I want to set big goals and attempt hard things. But it’s not a new value; it’s one I’ve had for a while. If I ever lose interest in challenging myself, I suppose that would be a new me. It’s just not a version of myself I’m remotely interested in.
Two years ago, I was in a dark place and feeling uncertain about a lot of things. Since then, I’ve made a number of changes in my life, both large and small. Many, many times in the months that have passed, I’ve looked up from whatever I’ve been doing with a sense of wonder.
I can’t believe I’m here, I think. I’m so glad I was willing to walk through that dark place.
I kid you not, this happens to me at least several times a day. I hope it never ends.
All things considered, I was pretty happy with 2019—and while I hope to continue to grow and improve, I don’t need a full-on transformation this year.
If you’re happy with the version of yourself you already have, maybe the question to ask at this point is: how can I be better than before?
Which is not the same as being totally different, because there’s no reason to change what you’ve worked so hard to achieve, accomplish, or become.
Happy New Year!
Chris Guillebeau is the New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness of Pursuit, The $100 Startup, and other books. During a lifetime of self-employment, he visited every country in the world (193 in total) before his 35th birthday. Every summer in Portland, Oregon he hosts the World Domination Summit, a gathering of creative, remarkable people. His new book, Born for This, will help you find the work you were meant to do. Connect with Chris on Twitter, on his blog, or at your choice of worldwide airline lounge.
Image courtesy of Sewn Apart.
