19 Lessons from 2019 - We Are Training 4 Life

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -C.S. Lewis

What's Your Word?

At the start of a new year, I like to choose a word that I will focus on. One word that essentially defines a goal, a feeling, or a mission that will become my axis for the year ahead.

As I began 2019, my word of the year was ‘Confidence’. 7 days in, I realized something was missing. Before I could truly attain confidence, I needed to embrace another ‘C’ word…’Courage’.

Courage & Confidence

Courage & Confidence became the pillars on which I lived each and every day of 2019. Each day when I wrote in my journal, I wrote those two words at the top of the page to remind myself of my main theme of the year and what I was striving for. When I was unsure of what to do in any situation, I would ask myself, “Will this build courage and confidence?” If the answer was ‘Yes’, then I would whole-heartedly jump right in and do it. I said yes to many things this year that my previously failure-fearing, introverted self would have perceived as impossible, and just simply not for me.

19 Lessons Learned in 2019

As I take this week to look at the past year; the wins, the losses, the joy, the heartbreak, the moments of challenge and the moments of ease; I can say one thing for sure. This may have been the year of my life that I have been truest to myself. The year that I allowed myself the grace to not strive for perfection, but just to be as Me as I could be. I learned a lot about life and myself and what it takes to have courage and build confidence over the last 365 days.

19 Lessons Learned in 2019:

Letting go of trying to be “perfect” for everyone else will lead you to finding the most imperfectly authentic, awesome version of You.
If you open your heart and eyes to endless grand possibilities, the universe will keep sending incredible opportunities for you to receive.
If you believe that you are a certain way, positive or negative, that is the version of you that will show up every single day.
You can’t change the past, but you can learn from it.
Goals are nice to have, but without a plan to get you there, you’re going to find yourself running in circles.
Wherever you are, be present in that moment.
Begin each day with gratitude and it will change your life.
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
Imperfect action is always better than no action at all.
Running many miles with friends is one of the best ways to spend an early Saturday or Sunday morning.
If someone asks if you can do something, make it your goal to not only deliver on the ask, but over-deliver.
It is possible to simultaneously be crippled with grief by the loss of a loved one and celebrate life with those left behind.
You are never too old to skip down the street, sing off-key at the top of your lungs in public, or just really need a hug from your Mom.
Sometimes the best gift you can give your kids is to just stop talking and listen while they work through difficult decisions on their own.
It’s not enough to strengthen your body. In order to perform at your best, you must also strengthen your mind.
Workout & accountability buddies, near and far, are an integral part of reaching goals.
Your children are always watching you, no matter how old or young they are, and learning from your words and actions. Be someone they can be proud to look up to.
Nerves are a selfish emotion.
You are always stronger than you think.

New Year, New Word

As we turn the page on 2019 and usher in a new year, a new decade, I will carry all of these lessons and more with me.

‘Courage’ and ‘Confidence’ have served me well in 2019, but their work is only getting started. I will be taking those words with me as I journey into 2020, while adding my new defining word to the mix:

‘Strength’

I hope you will all find your own defining word or words to carry you into 2020 and live them to the fullest. And as we welcome the new year, I hope you will set goals, build a road map to get you where you want to go, be brave, try new things, welcome challenges, and above all else…believe in yourself. You got this!

Happy New Year & Happy Running!

-Coach Lynn