How do you know if you’re being the best version of yourself?

How can you possibly assess if you’re maximizing your potential?

What things do you look for?

What are the signs?

At the end of every year, I write both a personal and a professional business plan.

In these documents, I put pen to paper to reflect on the things that worked during the year as well as the things that I need to improve upon.

This year, like every year, I just sat down to review my goals. However, this year, unlike most, I circled back to the plan I wrote at the end of 2022. Looking at it in retrospect, I noticed that many of the goals I set were simply not real.

That’s not to say they weren’t realistic, but not real: they didn’t move the needle for me as a person nor reflect what’s most important to me. Items like “Play golf 4 times per month” simply were my excuse to put something down – but didn’t hold any true significance.

So, this year, I decided to do something a little different.

I decided to look inward, focusing more on where I have created my own problems in life, and then how to solve them.

For instance, I drink too much.

So, I am not going to drink during the week unless I’m entertaining.  I have no need for that in my weekly routine – I am better and more focused when I’m clear-headed.

I want to be honest: it’s hard for me to admit that.  It’s a huge uncomfortable leap just to put that out there publicly.

So, why do it?

A goal or promise unshared with others simply lacks gravity. Instead, it’s important to verbalize that goal with someone you trust. Whether that be your spouse, significant other, friend or client, ask them to hold you accountable.

I have found that being vulnerable enough to let others in on your journey and share your goals not only brings people closer, but it helps them, too.

Look, none of us are perfect. All we can do is perfectly try to be our best, and that starts with a lot of honest self-reflection.

Have a great new year and start to 2022, and if anyone wants to share their goals and resolutions with me, I’d be honored to listen.

-J.D.