This holiday season, as you are looking towards 2023 and evaluating your goals, ask yourself, “Who am I doing this for?” If the answer isn’t you, first, it won’t be sustainable. Eventually you will fail because you surrendered control over the outcome to someone else.

Let’s start with a thought: “It doesn’t work long term if you do it for someone else.”

Powerful. How frequently do we find ourselves “doing” for the sake of someone else? This can be their approval, respect, admiration, pat on the back, or attention.

The answer is very likely a lot. We’ve done things daily to be seen, viewed, perceived, or received a certain way. We workout to look good for our significant others or our next date. We strive to make a lot of money to buy nice things so others perceive us as “successful.” We post on social media to prove our highlight reel is worthy of a like.

The funny part is “The Jones’” are simply someone else thinking the same thing about themselves! They are striving for the same approval rating and image. This reinforces the merry go round of “doing” for someone else rather than for yourself.

“It doesn’t work long term if you do it for someone else.”

We must start doing for the sake of ourselves. Our well-being, our physical health, our mental health, our social, emotional, and spiritual health. Only when we are satisfied with the work we have done to make ourselves proud can we then truly appreciate and receive the admiration of others; plus, if it makes you happy chances are you’ll radiate happiness outwardly so that others take notice — two birds with one stone (note: no birds will be harmed in the making of your own happiness).

The self-confidence that comes with making ourselves proud carries over into all facets of life, from our training to our profession to our relationships. We can be authentic to who we are — that is what the world needs more of.

Go make YOUR best day ever. I promise we’ll all be proud of you for being you.