NickVenturella.com 12-15-20 - Be here now and breathe

Be here now and breathe

December 15, 2020

It’s odd to think that this unusual year is quickly coming to a close. However, like other Decembers, there’s a push to work hard all the way through the last day of the month. 

I definitely feel that over the last several years, this one included, that I don’t get quite the space and time I have in years past around the holidays. I certainly carve out time for family, but it used to be even with work and business pursuits that things would slow down in December and I would have think-time to ponder new ideas, read, write and be with my thoughts in a way that would ramp me up for the new year's plans and pursuits. 

I’m probably taking on more, which may be the reason for that feeling, but also I think the pace of life and business is faster than ever. That’s probably because we allow it to be with our connectedness to technology and always-on mentality. What do you think?

With such an unusual year this year, I think it’s more important that ever, that we deliberately carve out time to just...be. I’m talking about unstructured time to simply connect with yourself and be in the moment with few others - immediate family. And I know we've all been indoors with our family during the pandemic this year, but it's likely that much of that time - with virtual school, remote work from home for you and your partner, and keeping siblings and/or pets from killing each other - was approached with a specific objective or agenda for the day in mind...'gotta get through and make progress.'

Try hard this holiday season to unplug and be in the present with those you care about, and who you can safely see, and/or reach out by phone, Zoom, FaceTime (heck, even write a hand-written letter)...do something to connect with loved ones and slow your roll even if only for a few moments.

Then, I encourage you to take 5 minutes and write down the top 3 to 5 things you accomplished this year (no matter how big or small), and the top 3 to 5 things you’re most grateful for this year (again, no matter how big or small). The idea is to jot these down fairly quickly - whatever comes to mind first. It’s surprising how such a simple exercise can provide such a good feeling that can energize you for the day and potentially for several days.

I know I come back to a lot of exercises like this, but it’s because they work to improve your positive, growth mindset, even if only slightly in a more positive direction (that’s a win).

Don’t worry about your plans for next year just yet. In fact, I would book time with yourself in the first week of the new year to block out 2 to 3 hours where you can schedule a planning session with yourself for your 2021 goals and action plans, but only book that time slot now, don’t worry about the goals or plans just yet. Just be here, now, and breathe. 

Stay positive. Stay healthy. Be kind.Sincerely,Nick VenturellaCreative Professional, andco-founder of Eleven Music Career CenterNickVenturella.comnickVmusic.netFacebookYouTubePatreon