As we bring 2024 to a close, this edition is the last of the year. But don’t worry, I’ll be back in 2025 with a few changes, which I’m looking forward to sharing with you. In the meantime, I wanted to close out 2024 by sharing my top three lessons from the year.
Here it goes…
1. Have the Courage to Listen to Intuition & Be Courageous
Intuition is real. And requires courage because it’s the path less trodden.
But if we want to live our best life possible, not an average one, courage is one of the ingredients required. I’ve learned this the hard way this year!
Feel the fear, angst, anxiety, and/or whatever feelings you feel when you want to make a decision you know is good for you and want to make but are hesitant because of what other people might think and do it anyway.
This is courage. Trust your vibes. Trust your intuition.
And, as one of my mentors says…
“Be prepared to dance in the fire!”
2. It’s Easier to Know What You Don’t Want Than What You Do
Think of all the things that you want in your life…
Now, repeat but for all the things you don’t want in your life…
Compare both lists. Which one is longer?!
I’ve come to realise that for most people, and I’m one of them, it’s easier to think and know what we don’t want in our lives than to think of and be truly honest with ourselves about what we do…
Chris Williamson on the Modern Wisdom podcast brought this insight to my attention, and I’ve been thinking about it on and off throughout the year.
The interesting and rather funny thing about it is that when we audit and remove the things we don’t want, for example, let’s say we don’t want toxic negativity and optimise for not having that in our life, we end up becoming “happier” and getting the thing we do want, which might be optimistic friends and a social circle.
I experienced this at the beginning of the year as I started working with a business mentor to help shape my career/business moving forward.
I didn’t entirely know and was unsure about what I wanted in this area of my life, so he made a few suggestions…
Meeting after meeting, I kept saying no, like that’s not it!
This process went on for a few months until I realised for myself what direction I did want to go in.
It took knowing what I didn’t want to know what I did want!
This new year, try this for yourself…
Think of an area of your life where you feel stuck and think of everything you don’t want.
For example, if you’re feeling stuck in your relationship, ask yourself what you don’t want in your relationships. Over time, this will lead to clarity about what you do want.
Try it, it seems to work…
3. Surrender is About Acceptance & Being One With Life
Pre-June of this year, I didn’t fully understand the concept of “Surrender”, which is often a spiritual concept, but then life decided to hit me around the face, and I experienced what “Surrender” is all about!
Through an unfortunate experience which ended up with me in the hospital having a fairly urgent but not life-threatening operation, I learned that being in a state of Surrender is an acceptance of what is, without fighting or wanting to control the situation or life itself.
It’s the state of being at one with life in the moment, fully present, and aware of all that is without fighting reality or trying to regain control!
Essentially, it’s the relinquishing of all control.
This doesn’t mean we give up our personal power.
While linked, I’ve come to realise that control and power are different.
In fact, relinquishing control is a powerful move, and being fully accepting of what is requires more personal power than you might think.
My experience of “Surrender” was what made me realise this for myself.
It’s powerful and is the gateway to more conscious, present, and mindful living.
Key Takeaways on Life Lessons from 2024
- Trust Your Intuition: Listening to your inner voice requires genuine bravery. When you feel anxiety or fear about a good decision, act regardless of other opinions to live fully.
- Filter Out What You Dislike: Identifying what you do not want is often simpler than deciding what you want. Removing negative elements naturally guides you to your true goals.
- Embrace True Surrender: Surrendering control is an act of acceptance rather than weakness. Accepting reality as it happens unlocks a more mindful, conscious way of living.
FAQs for My Top 3 Lessons From 2024
How can you build courage to trust your intuition?
You can build courage by acknowledging your fears and taking action regardless of outside opinions. Pushing through initial discomfort helps you align with your personal values.
Why is it easier to identify what you do not want in life?
Most people notice immediate discomfort far quicker than future desires. When you strip away toxic or unwanted habits, your real path becomes much clearer.
Does surrendering control mean you are giving up?
No, surrendering control means accepting current reality without constant friction. It shows personal strength, allowing you to focus on how you respond rather than fighting circumstances.
How can removing negative influences help your growth?
Clearing out negative elements creates natural space for positive choices. When you remove unwanted commitments, you automatically welcome better outcomes into your life.
