You Survived 2020. These 4 Ideas Will Help You Thrive In 2021
Seth CohenContributor
I write about leadership, politics, inclusion, and social change.
If you are reading this, you made it through 2020. Yes, it might have been ugly, and you probably wouldn’t want to do it all over again. But the truth of the matter is while the calendar might be turning a new page, much of the reality will still be the same in 2021. Sadly, many of the struggles that we face will continue… personally, professionally, nationally, and globally.
Which also means we need to sharpen our tools for thriving in the year ahead.
But first, let’s acknowledge some gratitude. The past year brought a combination of challenges that nobody could have anticipated. A global pandemic, a wounded economy, and a reckoning over racial injustice – and that was all before July! Then came natural disasters, more economic adversity, an American election that ripped at the seams of the world’s most powerful republic, and a dangerously adaptive virus that continues claiming a record number of lives.
Yeah, 2020 was a tough one.
But we survived. We endured the challenges, and some of us even discovered newfound strength. We may not be our old selves, and we may be missing some of our friends and loved ones, but we are here. And that gives us reason enough to say “thank you” and “amen.”
2020 took the world for a wild ride. But by using smart strategies instead of the usual new year's ... [+] GETTY
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Yet as much we may look forward to the end of 2020, being wishful that 2021 will be better isn’t a strategy. Sure, it’s nice to believe the next twelve months will be different, but think back to January 1, 2020. Didn’t we feel the same way?
And look how that turned out.
So with that in mind, perhaps it is wise to plan a few strategies to help us thrive in 2021. Yes, it probably is still wise to have a back-up supply of toilet paper and an active subscription to Netflix. But these ideas will help make sure that no matter what 2021 throws at you, you will be prepared.
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Write a Personal Vision Statement. It's very cliché to make new year’s resolutions (and then to casually, sometimes quickly, break them). But this year, rather than declaring a few loose commitments, write down a real vision statement for yourself. What do you really want to achieve this year? What do you want to look back and see when the clock hits 11:59 on December 31, 2021? Will there be professional achievements? Personal transformation? What will the outcomes of your efforts be in the year ahead? And if you aren’t the writing type, make a selfie video of you talking to yourself about your vision. Nothing is more powerful (and perhaps awkward) than a good look in the mirror, especially when she/he/they are talking back to you.
Find an Accountability Partner. Nobody can do it alone. Not even you. So take your personal vision statement and find at least one person to share it with. It can be a family member, a friend, or even a co-worker. The key quality this person needs is the power to help hold you accountable. That person will need to honestly challenge you and determine whether you are really staying committed to your vision, or, alternatively, if you’re thoughtfully reexamining it. The role of an accountability partner isn’t just to motivate you, but to also help you achieve your goals by serving as a thoughtful and clarifying counterpart. So choose wisely.
Commit to a Community. Beyond a single accountability partner, all of us benefit from being part of a community that is greater than ourselves. In the past year all of us (except, perhaps, committed introverts) have had to adjust to an era of physical distancing. But that doesn’t mean we should be truly distancing ourselves from one another in the communal sense. Whether it is a social group or a civic cause, a religious congregation, or a study group, commit to being a more engaged community member in one way or another. By finding new ways to embrace togetherness, not only will you surround yourself with people who share your passion, but you will also feel a stronger sense of connection to a greater goal.
Plan Some Fun. Let’s be honest: 2021 is going to start our pretty rough. While vaccines are coming and perhaps the political landscape will cool down, we aren’t out of the woods yet. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be joy and wonder in 2021. So just as much as you should plan on some personal growth in your 2021 vision statement, you should also plan on experiencing something that makes you smile and laugh. Maybe it is taking up a new hobby, or embracing a new habit (like meditation or walks in nature). Perhaps it is even planning a Covid-conscious journey to somewhere new later in the year. Yes, an unpredictable 2021 might mean you need to adjust your plans, or reschedule your journeys, but if you don’t start planning, it won’t start happening.
Despite our greatest hopes for an easy year, 2021 will chart its own course, and there is no doubt that it will bring twists and turns as well as hardships and heroics. But by applying optimism and effort, as well these four strategies, each of us can alter the way we personally and professionally navigate the year ahead. Because while it is a good thing to survive a year, it is an even better thing to thrive in it.
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