At most jobs, you receive an annual evaluation.  Your boss wants to let you know how well you are doing on the job; they will let you know where you stand and how you can improve.  These evaluations are directly correlated to your paycheck, whether or not you receive a raise or sometimes bonus.  If you have progressed throughout the year, you will receive a positive evaluation; if not, you will receive a less than glowing review.  When was the last time you took an evaluation of your life?  I mean, a good hard look at how far you have come and what you have overcome in the years you have been on the planet?

2020 gave many people the gift of time, time to take stock to look deep inside and try to understand who we are as humans.  If you learned anything, I hope at least it was that somethings in life are essential while other things simply do not matter.  It took a pandemic to weed out the superficial of life, but did you give you any clarity?

What did 2020 teach you about yourself?  Do you really know yourself? Do you like yourself?  If not, why not?

What do you want for your 2021?

Do you have a goal? Do you have a plan to get you there? If not, why not?

What do you want out of this precious life that you hold squarely in your own hands?

Will next year be any different from your past years?

These are all questions that we must ask ourselves to honestly evaluate where we are and where we are going.

The world is different now; either you gained some clarity about it, or you simply let it wash over you without absorbing anything, good or bad.  There should be a time in every persons’ life that they are required to look deep inside and take a self-evaluation.  I understand that this will require some self-awareness for most people, and let’s be honest, that can be in short supply.  Life should be about more than working for things that will never make you happy; it should ask questions and challenge your very existence.  Who am I? Who do I want to be?  You are never too young or too old to be anything you genuinely want to be or try anything that you have always wanted to try.  We as humans put such barriers on ourselves that keep us from living truly remarkable lives.  We talk ourselves out of being what we wish we truly want to be based on others’ expectations or even the expectations of who we think we should be. 

Evaluate your life and your time, fill it with things that bring you undeniable joy. Don’t continue to suppress your authentic voice to stay in your comfort zone.  Trust that once you start to break free, life will open up and support the you that lives inside.  Take time to evaluate who that really is.