Its 2021 – Start Your Engines, But Don’t Hit the Gas Just Yet.

It’s true, there is nothing magic or ancient about the date changing from 2020 to 2021. Unless of course you think that human psyche has some sway, in which case closing the book on 2020 actually has HUGE impact. Many of the most important things in our society from our Markets to our Democracy are dependent not so much about the way things actually are, but how people feel about the way things actually are. That’s not even magical thinking, just common observation. If you believe that people are spirits, and capable of magic, then WOW…. no longer being 2020 can be pretty damn awesome.

If you let it.

If you make it.

If you work it.

So what do I do on New Years Day? Do I hit the gas and start the race?

No.

I treat the first couple days to the first couple weeks of any new year as the time to get into position. If you want to take the racing analogy, you get into your car and strap in. Put your helmet on and take your position. Then you rev your engine just the right amount…. too little and you don’t get a solid start… too much and you stall out. At least that’s how I imagine it works. Everything I know about racing I learned from Mario Kart, so for this analogy we’re going with it.

Point is, this is the week for the people who burn hot to throw out their backs at the gym, or buy the $3000 in equipment they won’t use, or starve themselves on unsustainable diets, or realize that 2 hours of ritual a day is in fact not going to be manageable. Let them crash and get out of the way.

By all means, buy the stuff you need to get set up for a wise and measured plan. Buy quality, but not extravagant. Earn the extravagant reward after you have accomplished something.
By all means, start eating right and getting rid of the stuff you shouldn’t have in the fridge. But set yourself up for the long haul and really think about how this is gonna play out so you don’t get sick of it.
By all means, get your sorcery rolling, but maybe its time to put some things away and make space rather than just crowding the altar and your day.
I find that if I set a plan to do a little less  than I can handle every day, I stay committed all the way through.

You already have your strategy, so line up and think about your tactics.
Look at the road ahead and rev your engines.
Then when its time…. GO!