When You Don’t Accomplish All the Yearly Goals
An Open Letter to Those Who Have Struggled in 2019
We begin each year with high expectations. It’s a new year, a blank slate and a chance to seize the day. We set goals that are might be too numerous or simply too lofty. It is the rare occasion when we start the year without secret goals and dreams.
We work through each day doing our best to handle all of the things life throws at us. We make continual effort towards those dreams that kickstart the new year. We do our best to work on everything while living with the daily demands.
Some years we accomplish every single thing on that list. Sometimes we make substantial progress. Sometimes life gets the best of us. It’s the third type of year that is often hardest to deal with.
However, before you chalk the year up to failure, remember that there is still one month left. Even if all we did this year were the little things, we have still accomplished much.
Take some time today to make a list. Don’t censor yourself just write. Write about all of the times that you were there for a friend in need. Jot down the dream that you started to work towards (a start is often the hardest part). Write about the times that you encouraged others. The things that we might consider small have likely made a huge difference to others.
Also write down the things that you have lived through this year. The heartbreak that you never thought you’d get over but still cope with. The people that you never thought you’d forgive but have found the grace to just let it go. The loss that might have crippled you but you refused to stay down and landed back on your feet.
Give yourself some grace. We are humans doing the best we can. Let the expectations go. Realize that you are enough, you do enough and you have likely accomplished more than you had thought.
