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When I was planning this post, I really wanted to write ’23 things I learned in ’23.’ That was taking too long to write and some you wouldn’t care about anyway. (I mean, do you really want to know what apps I learned to use to help me connect with my child’s school?) I decided to SCALE back and focus on what I learned that impacted my life in a positive way, and might be useful for you too.

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Lessons I learned in 2023:

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1. Smile when things are hard. It makes it easier!

On a psychological level, smiling can trick your mind into perceiving the difficulty as more manageable. The act of smiling is known to release endorphins, which are feel-good hormones that contribute to an improved mood and reduced stress levels. P.S. Try it during a test, when you are angry or when working out. Read more here.

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2. Make space for QUIET.

Quiet allows your mind to process what you are thinking and feeling. It moves out some of the ‘sludge’ from constant noise and busyness. It also opens up time for prayer and reflection. Being quiet allowed me to be more ‘present’ – to God, to myself, and to others.

“The noise of the modern world makes us deaf to the voice of God, drowning out the one input we need most.”

– John Mark Comer

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3. Do ONE thing at a time.

I’m a serial mulit-tasker. In 2023, I learned that doing ONE thing at a time was more effective than doing multiple things poorly.

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4. Slow down and pay attention to what is happening in the moment.

All the best stuff happens in the present and I don’t want to miss all the little moments of JOY.

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5. Less input leads to better output.

In 2023 I learned that reducing the amount of input enhances the quality of output. Previously, I would consume up to 60 books a year and listen to countless podcasts. However, in 2023, I deliberately scaled back. This shift has allowed me the time to process and apply what I’ve learned. Creating this mental space has not only fueled my ideas, but also increased my motivation for writing, speaking, and teaching.

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6. Change might seem too big and too hard, do it anyway.

When we began talking about moving to a different house, I was hesistant. I didn’t want to leave my comfort zone, the work involved with moving seemed overwhelming, and I was distraught over leaving our wonderful neighborhood. After lots of discussion, prayer and planning – we sold our house and bought another. The change turned out to be exactly what we needed. It was a LOT of work. It was really heard to say goodbye to our amazing neighbors, but the change was exactly what we needed for our family. And, it didn’t just take me out of my comfort zone, it EXPANDED my comfort zone. We’ve met so many new friends, while staying connected to our old ones. It made me (and all of us) a little more adaptable to different situations. Embracing change, though challenging, proved worthwhile.

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Those were a handful of the many lessons I learned in 2023. Which of these should you practice in 2024?

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What did you learn in 2023? Leave a comment by clicking on that little text box by the title of this post!

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