Winning the Year with Kindness, Compassion & Determination

Hello everyone,

I thought it would be a good time to talk briefly about the pressure to perform in January, and how we can replace that with a kind determination to succeed i.e. one that is stubborn in its refusal to give back, but doesn’t try to push you with negative self-talk, but is kind and encouraging instead.

Listen below !

(Very rough) Transcript below for those who would rather read.

January is hard because we have high expectations of ourselves for the new year and very little compassion, most of the time. We feel guilty because we already failed to stick to the new years resolution, or we are already anticipating our failure. I think it is important to acknowledge this feeling that some of us might have.

And say that we don’t need to respond to this fear that we will repeat the same cycles by being more critical or harsh. “Oh I am so lazy I couldn’t keep up with this”, “I never stick to things” etc

This year, let us try to practice being compassionate and understanding to ourselves (and others).

It doesn’t mean that we should let everything fly. No. It just means that we need to respond with truth to those negative feelings. It is difficult to thrive on negative self-talk.

Practice being encouraging and determined. That is what I did towards the end of my last semester when all hope felt lost. I kept cheering myself on. I put post-it notes everywhere. I’d say out loud “Oladoyin you can do this”. If any one was watching me they will probably have laughed.

We are hopeful in January, but also try too hard to compensate for the perceived failures of the previous year. But we forget that habits take time to change. And also that it is easier to run a marathon with someone cheering you on. It is truly special, when that someone is yourself.

Be filled with hope for the new year, but as you pursue your dreams, do so first with kindness and compassion. Then add a fierce determination and refusal to give up.

Kindness & Compassion + Determination make a killer combo.

Remember to be kind

Love yourself better this year

Be stubborn in that determination to succeed (noting that success might be in the form of a lesson from something not working out quite how you expected).

Love yourself,

O.F.P.