It’s 2020 and with the new year, comes a nice window to set the tone. I don’t think that it needs to be a new year to make a change, but since it’s here, so is this blog. The purpose of this blog is to provide you with five questions to spark a vision for the year ahead. In this coming paragraphs, I will share my answers for those of you who are interested. Before we start, here’s why you should keep reading. These questions might seem simple, but I know a for certain that what you do right now will undoubtedly affect who you are tomorrow. I know that how you choose to view this new year will inevitably influence how it goes and I know that the vision that you create in this moment will drive the ensuing process. Without further ado, here are the questions.
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1. How would the world be different without you here?
In other words, what value do you bring to the world? If you are having trouble thinking of something, don’t be discouraged. You are here on this earth for a purpose with purpose. Each day is an opportunity to be the best version of yourself, to bring value to those around you and to leave this world better than you found it. This isn’t an easy question. Take some time to think this one through and then answer, what value do you want to add this year?
My answer: I want to help people believe in themselves this year. From personal experience, I know how powerful it is to believe in yourself and sometimes that starts with having someone else believe in you. I want to be the person that gives others hope in darkness and instills confidence where there appears to be none. I want to show people that “they can” in all areas of life.
2. What is your mission?
In other words, what do you want to accomplish this year? This question might seem redundant with question number one, however, it’s different. This question is about what you are specifically going to set out to do in 2020. Another way to think about this question is to think about the vision that you have for the year. Take some time to think about what you want to make happen this year and then answer, what is your mission this year?
My answer: I am going to go out of my way to make people feel loved, cared for and included in all areas of my life. Whether at work, at home or in the community, I will make an effort to be selfless in the way that I love others. I will reach out to people and make myself available to the people who need me however I might be able to help them, even if it seems inconvenient.
3. What five words will describe you this year?
In other words, how will you define yourself for the year ahead? It might seem too simple to be effective, but this is powerful. Human beings tell stories, and at the end of the day, we become the stories that we tell ourselves. If taken seriously, this is a potent exercise to manifest change and create the story that you want for yourself in the coming year. With that being said, let me ask you, what five words will define you this year?
My answer: confident, encouraging, relentless, selfless, composed.
4. What is your mantra?
In other words, what word(s) or phrase will you continually come back to through the upcoming year? I like to think about this question in light of tattoos. I don’t have any, but if I were to get one, it would be something meaningful to me. It would be something that I would want to see every single day for the rest of time. If you were to get a tattoo, what would it say?
My answer: Be the reason someone smiles.
5. Why do you do what you do?
In other words, what is your driving force? I once heard Inky Johnson say the following “at a certain point in life, it can’t just be about you… people quit because they don’t have a driving force for why they do what they do.” I couldn’t agree more with Inky; if we want to persevere through adversity, we need a reason to do so and it has to be bigger than us. I want to leave it there and now ask, for the upcoming year, what is your driving force?
My answer: I know that everybody has their own struggles, most of which, we can’t see. I want to give others hope. I want to be a beacon of light in someone’s darkness and I want to use my struggles to light a path to show others that with faith, relentless effort, selflessness and the right perspective, anything can be done. I want to leave every place better than I found it and I want to use my life as an example for others to follow. Through everything that I do, I want to honor God and live out His will for my life. I want to love Him and walk in His image as a testament to His work in my life.
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If nothing else, let this blog serve as a moment of awareness, because all true change starts with awareness. Take this as a reminder that, to an extent, you can take control of how this year unfolds and it starts now.
I hope that you found some value in thinking through these questions as 2020 gets rolling. I want to thank you for taking the time to read, and as always, I appreciate you so much. This year is going to be a good one, I can feel it! If there is anything that I can do to help make 2020 your best year yet, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me here. If you don’t get anything else done in 2020, just remember that this life is bigger than us. Love others, give your best effort, do the next right thing and lift others up. Bring value to the people around you and in all that you do, leave this world better than you found it. If you can do those things, then this year is going to be a good one all the way around.
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
William Penn
Go make 2020 your best year yet.
Thank you for taking the time to read – I appreciate you!
Joe Rinaldi
IG: @joearinaldi
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You continue to amaze me. The positivity you exude is contagious. Having it is one thing…sharing it to help others takes it to a new level. Thank you Joseph Anthony – keep up the awesome work!!
Thank you so much Aunt Amy! That really means so much to me! I miss you and I love you. I hope that this is such a great year for you!
I admire your youthful spirit. I wish I had it. I am now 69 and am weary of it all. I am simply tired of the struggle and life.
Will, thank you so much for the comment and kind words. I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling tired of struggle and of life. I would love to talk sometime if you’d be up for that. Please send me a message via the contact page and we’ll set up a phone call. In the meantime, just know that I’ll be thinking of you and praying for you. I care about you Will!