Before things ramp up in 2022, I’d like to throw into the mix one more reflective, new years-y post. Looking back at 2021, I noticed 3 ideas that helped me learn and grow, and I share them with the hope that they’ll be as relevant and helpful to you as they’ve been to me.

3 Ideas to Learn and Grow in 2022 

1. Know your intrinsic value. The CEO of a startup recently told me about the time a trusted colleague of his said, “You rely too much on external validation. You need to fix that, or this startup will fail. You’ll burn out.” It was the kick in the pants he needed to make serious changes in his thinking. He shared this story with me not only because it was life-changing for him, but also because I—like him and many others—struggle with the same.
His advice: Find your internal source of value and strength. He’s religious, so he reminds himself that he’s a child of God. I’m not, so I’ve adopted a riff on Brene Brown’s phrase: “I am enough, because I am.” Focusing on my intrinsic value helps me prioritize what matters and say “no” to things that don’t.

2. (Re)connect with your “why.” My son is learning to ski. Until recently, he didn’t want to ski by himself. He wanted me to hold him between my legs (he’s 3) while skiing—it was easier and more fun. This past Sunday, though, it clicked for him that if he wants to go down the steep hills, he first has to learn to stop and turn. So, he started practicing—two whole runs down a long bunny slope, stopping every 10 feet or so, all by himself. I was amazed at his motivation and dedication when he understood that these fundamentals will lead him to his “why”—his ultimate goal of skiing fast down steep slopes.
This is a simple example, of course. At work, we’ll likely connect with higher purposes and larger goals. But I think the story illustrates the importance of knowing your “why.” If you want to dive deeper, there’s a ton of research (including from RedThread) on individual and collective purpose.

3. Set up systems to support you. There’s a book (whose title I cannot recall) that likens people to water: we take the path of least resistance. We might try to climb up a mountain for some time, but eventually, we’ll go downhill again. The book suggests that if we want to truly change our behavior long-term, we have to shape our environment such that the path of least resistance takes us where we want to go.
Thinking about new year resolutions and goals for 2022, I find it helpful to not only set goals but also build systems and processes for myself to make it easier and more likely to meet them. Maybe you will find this helpful too.