2/12 = 16.666%

Let’s call that 17%, almost a fifth of the way through 2019.

I am sitting at C’est La Vie in Port Alfred and taking stock of where I am going and what I have achieved so far.

In terms of my personal goals, I find I am ahead in some areas, behind in others and I have cut out some that I am just not showing up for.

My theme for the year is Simplify. I did not take on too many little goals, instead, I decided to focus on various aspects of my life and improve on them.

One of the goals that I have cut out of the list is my music lessons. I found that I was too focussed on other areas of my life that I was not dedicating the required time to practice. Not only did this create an incompletion for me but I was also out of integrity with my music teacher. I do not see this as quitting, more of pruning back.

I guess, like many people, I overestimate what I can achieve in the year. Since my breakdown, I have been far more aware of when things are slipping. There are times when I need to roll up my sleeves and knuckle down, other times a moment of rest is required, then there are the times when you need to stop and reconsider why you are doing what you are doing.

I am still learning on this journey, and I know that the learning will never stop.

What I have found though is that when I am conscious of where I am and what I am doing I have a far greater sense of balance and control over my own feelings and emotions.

Guitar lessons did not add to my health, family time, spirituality or finances. After some serious consideration, I decided that it was not adding value to my core aspects of life. I will still jam with my son Ethan on weekends, I will pick it up when the mood kicks in, but to commit to practice and the lessons were not aligned with my theme and key objectives for 2019.

Have you paused to take stock of the year? Is there anything that you need to readjust? Anything that needs to be cut out. Do your goals from January still hold meaning and value to you?

I invite you to make some time for yourself this weekend and reflect on the year so far and then project forward for the next 10 months and most importantly, I invite you to believe in yourself. You got this.