Genuiary

Ah January, we have made it well into the second half but some of us are perhaps still picking up speed after the break or feeling like 2023 is already overwhelming. No other month comes with such a heavy burden of expectation. For me it is a time for reflecting on the the previous year and welcoming the new year. For some it’s a time of making changes often towards a healthier way of living physically, nutritionally, mentally or emotionally. For others it’s a time to eschew all the rhetoric about making lifestyle changes and to simply be present in the moment, lean into feelings about what’s gone before and what’s coming next. For many more people it may just be a matter of getting through it: 31 short days, long nights, wintry weather and no bank holidays with a dose of the marketeers blue Monday thrown in.

The truth is it doesn’t have to matter what we think the New Year and January should mean or even how each of us should approach it, what matters is that we are genuine with ourselves about our thoughts and beliefs for it (and every other calendar event). Being genuine in ourselves is a gift that Santa cannot bring, it comes from within and will serve us in every aspect of our lives.

As a coach I meet a huge range of individuals and teams but amongst many other factors there is a common thread. People want to be the best version of themselves whether that be at work, home or simply for themselves. But being the best version of you means first being honest, authentic and genuine with yourself about your values. There is no better time than now, today, Genuiary, whenever suits you to live in tune with your values.

With this in mind, ignoring the fact it’s the beginning of 2023 (I’m a bit late anyway!) let’s consider how to start. We explore Values in detail in person at Farm Out, but what is the best version of ourselves? For me it’s pretty straightforward - it’s the one who loves life and is ready for challenges. So it is the one who’s had a good night sleep. I prioritize that whenever I can. It’s also the one who eats enough protein with meals so my blood sugar stays as consistent as possible and I have more energy. In turn it’s the one who is healthy and has the get up and go for a walk / run / yoga / skipping or tag with the kids etc. It’s the one who gets around to calling and seeing her friends. It’s the one who writes - about anything. It's the one who has a laugh!!

We were saying to the children the other day there are no shortcuts in life but then realised of course there can be - yes, it’s true you can’t skip to the good bits all the time but you can use your most powerful tool, your mind, to shortcut to what matters and choose genuine joy.

Whether you embrace the New Year and all the promise it brings or continue on feeling just a bit colder and more apprehensive about the next 12 months or whether you’re somewhere in between. Give yourself plenty of room now, because there’s no doubt that as you become the best version of yourself - or perhaps realise that you already are - you’re going to grow every moment in which you live genuinely in line with your values.