A common theme in American culture is the hustle-and-grind mentality, chasing the American dream, growth, gains, crushing goals, and climbing ladders. Many of us are taught that success looks like constantly striving for more. This work ethic can be beneficial in many respects, but it can also be hurtful when not considering that individuals’ needs and approaches may vary and fluctuate at different seasons of life. People can get burnt out, struggle with comparison, sacrifice health and relationships for work, or embark on goals or journeys left unfinished.
With the new year quickly approaching, we can prepare ourselves for the onslaught of resolutions, goals, “new year, new me” rhetoric, and the like. Again, for some, this may be helpful, for others, it may be crippling and debilitating knowing that we all have the autonomy to embark on new goals and take on new challenges or journeys at any time. Goals can look different for everyone, and everyone does not need to magically transform their lives as of January 1.
That being said, last week, my local association Greater Nashville REALTORS® hosted a team day with incoming chairs and vice chairs of committees and the board. The day began with our president asking everyone to take a moment to reflect on a goal they wanted to work on in 2024. It could be professional or personal and we would touch base at our mid-year meeting to see what we accomplished. We went around the room introducing ourselves, and sharing our goals, and wow, was I inspired and honored to be in that room! It was refreshing to hear so many folks in our association valuing and working toward different goals.
If you find yourself ready to set goals for the coming year, try to set goals based on wherever you are in life right now and maybe outside the norm. Work on communication personally or professionally. Take more hikes, view more sunsets, try a new class learn something new, or pick up a hobby. Maybe your goal is to slow down, take on less, practice boundaries, or say no. Perhaps your goal is to reach a physical/emotional/mental state where you can even start thinking about other types of goal setting.
There are so many ways we can help ourselves set goals to improve personal and professional well-being, and they certainly don’t always have to revolve around numbers, data, quotas, or moving up to qualify as success.
Courtney Leggett is a Broker with Zeitlin Sotheby’s International Realty. Courtney’s real estate career began in her home state of Vermont in 2014. Maintaining active involvement in her local associations has always been a priority for Courtney who has served on several Greater Nashville Realtors® committees and graduated from Greater Nashville Realtors® Leadership Academy in 2023.
