WOW #021: New Year, New Month, New You!

Quote of the Week:
“What impact are you making, not only today, but for eternity? What impact are you making to leave a legacy?"
- Kirk Cousins

Imagine that your job was one of only 32 in the entire world. 32 jobs total and you’ve got one of them.
For Kirk Cousins, starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, this is a reality. Earning a starting QB position in the NFL is almost as selective as being named a Supreme Court Justice.

I’m not a Vikings fan, but I am a Kirk Cousins fan. Unfortunately, 2023 was a challenging year for him:

• Despite throwing for more than 1,000 yards over 3 games, the Vikings lost each one by single digits

• In Week 8 against Green Bay, Kirk suffered a season ending injury
• Now, he’s in the last year of his contract and isn’t sure where he’ll be in 2024

Kirk Cousins is 35 years old, a 12-year NFL veteran, and prior to the 2023 season, had never missed a game due to injury.

As mentioned, I'm a big fan of Kirk’s. A few reasons why:

• His faith and work ethic, which propel him to thrive in a demanding role

• His attitude and outlook on life 
• His approach to thinking about time and impact

In 2018 when he was 30, Kirk built a small structure in his front yard. A 4-foot sculpture composed of 720 stones. Each stone represents a month. He carries one stone with him every day to remind him that a month is short, and that every day counts. When the month ends, he tosses the stone.

And grabs another one for the new month.

In 2018 as a 30-year-old, he figured he'd live to around 90 years old… 

[ 60 Years X 12 Months =720 Stones ]

2 Takeaways:

• Units of Time Affect Our Outlook. We often hear and say, “I had an amazing day” or “last week was the worst.” Days ago we celebrated the arrival of 2024, as if a change in the calendar would change results. How often do we focus on winning the moment? The meeting? The project? Kirk mentions impact, eternity, and legacy – hard topics to wrap your arms around. The moment, the day, and the month are easier. Focus on the little things that make the big things possible.
• Give Energy And Time Their Due. Time is finite, but our energy is renewable. 12 years in a brutal sport with no injuries requires a ton of positive mental, spiritual, and physical energy. How are you renewing yours?

1 Action:

Reread Your Annual Business Goals for 2024. Ask and document your answers to these questions:

1. How have you accounted for avoiding past failures and slip-ups with your current plan?
2. Are the goals too focused on the end result vs. not being specific about the months leading up to getting you there?
3. What are your monthly plans to reward yourself to avoid burnout and renew the energy necessary to keep you motivated?

Please share this issue with others and I’ll see you next week.

Happy New Year!

Hubert