2021 is finally here, but really, what’s changed except the date? I know many people have been saying, ‘I can’t wait until 2020 is over and 2021 rolls around.’ They’ve been talking as if, as soon as midnight strikes on December 31, 2020, everything will automatically and magically change for the better. Well, here we are in the first week of 2021 and the only thing that is going to change, if it hasn’t already, is your attitude about making this day – no matter the date or the circumstances – the one when you stop waiting and start winning.

Many people have described the year 2020 – as if the year has anything to do with it – as; ‘a dumpster fire,’ ‘crappy,’ ‘one to forget’ and many other expletive-laden and negative statements. Can I just say, the year had nothing to do with it? The fires had nothing to do with it, the riots had nothing to with it and COVID had nothing to do with it. We, ourselves, had everything to do with it! Yes, that’s right and as much as I know I am ruffling some feathers, I don’t want anyone to waste 2021 by thinking their success, happiness and wellbeing has anything to do with what’s happening around the world. Instead, it has everything to do with what’s happening between our ears!

I have experienced the same year as everyone, and it has been tough for me, like everyone. However, I have said it before and I will say it again, 2020 for me was the most transformational year I have had in a long time. Going into isolation was tough but what I needed to face my insecurities, then get to know and love myself better. Losing many speaking jobs and significant income was terrifying, but exactly what I needed to transform my business online with a global reach. More time at home being unable to go anywhere was lonely and frustrating at times, but saved me money, helped me focus on what’s most important and allowed me to create new things, like my podcast. I know my experience of 2020 was different to other people, but I do know it was a great year for me because I chose to win, not wait.

Please, don’t think in any way I am diminishing what people have faced or what they have had to suffer through and overcome. But then, that has nothing to do with a virus and everything to with living in a world where challenges happen. There’s no doubt, we are in a season, when fear, anxiety and uncertainty are rife, and it can be tough to navigate at times. In fact, there has been more than one time, over the last 12 months, when I have found myself sobbing and in a fetal position on the floor. I just want to encourage you not to think, just because it’s a new year, that things will magically get better. Let me tell you, things will get better the second you decide to win and not wait.

When I say, ‘win and not wait,’ I mean start today – yes, today – taking action to make your life the best it can be. Forget about what’s happening around the world, forget about the fact that it’s a new year and the pressure is on to make a new year’s resolution, and focus on what’s most important in your life. If it’s your health & wellbeing, which I hope it is, stop waiting for a vaccine, the second you take action, you win. If it’s your relationship(s), stop waiting for someone else to make the first move and act. When you do, you win! If it’s your business, stop waiting for a better economic time and get into action. As soon as you do, you’ll be a winner. Stop waiting for things to go back to normal and start now to create your new and improved normal. The second you do, you are winning.

You see, winning has nothing to do with holding a trophy, getting to the top of the mountain or achieving the goal. Winning happens the moment you take action and start moving in the direction of what you want, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant that movement may be. So, it’s with my greatest encouragement that you stop waiting and start moving today. What stops us all, including myself on a regular basis, is ourselves and our fears, anxieties and insecurities. So, I want to urge you to listen to my podcast this week with Morgan Beard, called ‘Behind the music.’ I guarantee it will help.

2021 can be an awesome year for you. Not because it’s a new year, not because it’s not 2020 and not because things will magically get better. It will be an incredible year the instant you decide to stop waiting, start choosing and start winning. You get to choose how this year will be, so, choose abundance, choose courage, choose action, choose love, choose gratitude, choose health, choose significance, choose legacy, choose fun, choose laughter, choose progress and choose different.

Most of all… choose YOU!