While this is the first Monday Musings of the year, never fear; it won’t be about New Year’s Resolutions! But try this on for size: how does course correction sound?
Course correction can be as simple as adjusting your priorities or making small changes that deviate from the way you’ve always done things – without creating a list that’s so overwhelming it sets you up to fail. It can be applied to your business, career, or personal life.
Experts advocate not waiting until things fall apart but rather course correcting daily. Australian business coach, founder and lead mentor for Abundance Global, David Dugan, says as soon as you notice you’re off course, that’s when you’re actually on track (love this). He suggests asking yourself these three questions at the end of each day:
- What worked today?
- What could be improved?
- What are my three high-value activities for tomorrow?
The path to achievement isn’t always in a straight line, and course correction should not be regarded as a failure or weakness, according to the vice president at New American Funding and co-owner of NEUAGE Health + Wellness, Steve Strick. It’s about acknowledging and accepting your wrong turns, being kind to yourself and using the learnings to empower yourself to set a new, happier path.
My life course correction was triggered over the festive season by a ‘life coach’ in a fur suit – a rescue Jack Russell I named Maggie May (after the Rod Stewart song). With the shelters full and no fosters in sight – I assumed the role with trepidation. And it proved justified. Due to all the trauma she’d endured and recuperating from surgery, MM had serious separation anxiety.
At first, I couldn’t go into another room without her screaming (if you’ve ever heard a Jack Russell, their vocal pitch is higher than Mariah Carey’s!) And I could not leave my house. Not for the entire festive season. My packed social calendar literally went to the dogs. But I was incredibly lucky to have friends willing to visit me and that I was able to take MM to Christmas lunch.
I then had to organise my life as if stocking a bunker! I signed up for every kind of online delivery from Woolies to Dischem. Downloaded apps for gym workouts on my patio. Ubered packages and found house-calling vets. The upshot? I don’t have to spend my Saturdays in the shops anymore. Thank you, Maggie May!
Some introspection seemed inevitable with all the time on my hands. Clearing out a kist of ‘ancient history’, and reading through letters and diaries, I came to identify patterns and habits that have set me on a repeat loop. It was a bittersweet and cathartic process. Awareness is the first step to course correction.
So, while my festive season was anything but festive, with the help of Maggie May, I found value in being housebound, used the time to start making changes, and became the foster fail I always knew I would be. Happy to report MM is course correcting too.
Mindful Musings
What the world was musing over this past week
Qatar Airways welcomes AI aboard
Qatar Airways passengers can look forward to a more personalised onboard experience, and even better trained cabin crew, with the introduction of a new app.
Family pooch devours US$4 000!
Who knew cash was tasty? Cecil the goldendoodle thought so, forcing his owners to turn to money-laundering!
Howszit! Our accent is among the friendliest in the world
Unique, and maybe odd to some uninitiated ears, our homegrown accent gives people the friendly feels.
Honeymoons not just for couples
It’s a growing trend. Heading off post-nuptials to a romantic destination… with your besties!
