2023 Musings

For a lot of us, the 31st of December should be a normal day. It is not the end of the world, it is not the end where we conclude on things because we did not get them during the year.

The 1st of January 2024 is indeed just another day. However, there are checkpoints. 1st January is another checkpoint.

Checkpoints are times when we look back, show gratitude, and plan for days ahead. Checkpoints are avenues for reconsideration. Checkpoints are 2nd chances.

For those of us who played/play arcade games, you will know that most games have checkpoints where once you have gotten to them, even if you fail you don’t start afresh, you just start at the last checkpoint.

Thus, 1st January works that way. For some of us, it is not only the 1st of January that serves as those moments, the 1st of July, the 1st Oct (New FY - my last two years have started in October), new job roles, the 1st of April also serve same purpose.

The essence of checkpoints is to reflect “this level of game that I am not passing, is it that I am not holding X or O well or that I do not see when this opponent comes?” Checkpoints are times when we deliberately think of ways to go or do things differently.

Setting goals may only work for some because life is very fickle and changes daily. However, goal setting keeps you on track and gives you what to work with. You can’t casually be moving about without having something to work with.

If you think you did not achieve anything in 2023, clean up yourself, you are not alone. In case you called them “small wins”, it’s still a win.

So, what next?

• Go ahead and set that goal again
• Go ahead and try again
• Do not give up
• No gree for anybody 😜
• Life can be hard but if you quit, you will not be able to make it.