When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?

In 2010, it was about dream making. In 2011, it was about sticking to my boundaries. In 2012, it was about being true. In 2013, it was about embracing fear. In 2014, it was sitting my butt down and writing. In 2016, it was about leading. In 2017, it was about persistence. In 2018, it was about seeing the big picture. In 2019, it was about moving on (on my own terms). In 2020, it was about valuing the things (and people) I love. In 2021, it was about deciding the next thing. In 2022, it was about execution.

My next step is about building the life that I want. At least to the best of my ability. Clean out the cobwebs. Lay out the infrastructure. Interestingly, without great intention, I did that in 2021, which led to a good 2022. But then this past year, I hadn’t done that much in 2022 for 2023 so then I didn’t have it. So I need to build. I need to lay it all out because that means that I could reap the rewards later.

That means, more effort to put my novel in the world. The same with essays and short stories. The just enough effort into the job so that it doesn’t intrude in my other parts of life. And as always, explore the pleasures of living.

I need to read more books. I need to clean out the things that I don’t want or need. I need to pull out all the dust from the things in my head so that I can see them in clarity. I need to sweep.

Maybe that’s what it all is. Cleaning the space so that I can thrive in the best way possible.