Today is Boxing Day in Canada.
It’s a day where many Canadians hit the malls and box stores searching for bargain prices for the gifts that they either failed to get other in time (read: non-productivityists) or failed to get themselves. I am not likely to take part in the traditional practices of Boxing Day, mainly because I have my own ritual that I undertake: I start to reflect on the year gone by – and the boxes I checked off during the past year – so I can make sure I can check off the right boxes in the year to come.
This kind of practice is different than establishing new year resolutions – because I simply start to reflect – I don’t establish any resolutions per se. If anything, I begin to shape the year to come by starting my January a little bit earlier than most. I don’t start my year in January. I’d say I use it as a transitional month instead. I don’t take on new massive projects. I don’t set goals for the entire year. I don’t do anything of the sort.
I simply recharge.
Today I’ll be looking back at the boxes I checked off and I’ll see how much further they have taken me. I’ll also see – if applicable – how much they have set me back. Then I’ll adjust accordingly. I’ve got the time and space to do so – and I’ve set myself up in such a way that I’ve got clarity because I’m not looking to set anything else up over the next 30-odd days – I’m setting things aside instead.
Remember when we were kids and we spent this day reveling in what we had? And I’m not saying it’s what we just received, either. I’m saying what we received and what we already had received in the days, months, and years prior. I can recall playing with all of the great new Star Wars toys I had just received in tandem with the ones I’d already added to my collection in the past – and the experience wouldn’t have been the same with either one of those ingredients missing.
Enjoy what you have and where you are. Look back to what got you there and where you were. Without doing both, you won’t have the bigger picture in mind…which is exactly what you need to make marked progress.
So instead of braving the malls and shopping, be brave and start reflecting. You’ll get far more value for your time – not just today, but for the days, months, and years to come.
