A Newer, Better Year: Advice for 2021
The year 2020 has been one of the most tumultuous on record. A global pandemic, a bitter presidential election, civil unrest, hurricanes, fires, and floods. Americans have been through a lot. But, believe it or not, we’ve been through worse and we will get through this together. When Americans are tested, we rise to the occasion, meet the challenge, and prevail.
After the tragedy of 9-11, we united as a country and as a people. We remember those heroes who ran into burning buildings and ordinary citizens throughout the country who stepped up and helped their neighbors. We came together to fight an external enemy, while lending aid to neighbors, friends, and fellow citizens regardless of political leanings. We will do it again!
Some Good Comes from a Bad Year
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s hard to believe that anything good came from 2020, but the year has taught us much about overcoming obstacles. People are learning to cope and appreciate more. We’ve become stronger as individuals, and stronger as a country.
I feel for the young people who have had to miss graduations, alter freshman year experiences, and cancel or delay plans for celebrations. But I know in the long run, these small sacrifices will make them better, more resilient individuals.
Coming from a long military career, I know a lot about resilience. In many ways military people are no different than civilians. They have the same hopes and fears; they want the same things from life. However, members of the military have had an opportunity to be part of something that’s bigger than themselves. They take an oath, make sacrifices, and commit to a common purpose. Whether they serve in times of conflict or peace, that commitment and its necessary resiliency better prepared them for all we’ve experienced in 2020. I believe we shall come out the other side of 2020 as a stronger people, and a united country—if we remember that we’re all in this together.
We have a saying in the Navy: Ship, Shipmate, Self, which denotes the importance of placing the collective (ship and shipmate) above the individual (self). My hope is that 2020 has conditioned us to place the needs of others before our own. Whether it’s the simple act of wearing a mask or conforming to state mandates, we are all better when we place the needs of others before our own.
How to Set Your Priorities for 2021
The coming New Year is always a good time to review where we’ve been and plan. Career, Finance, Personal are three areas for us to review to build a brighter future.
Career
Don’t be satisfied with a career stuck in neutral. If the status quo isn’t working for you, reassess what you’ve done in the past and ask yourself, how can I do things better? How can I achieve my career goals? Perhaps you need to be more proactive at work. Maybe you need to become more technologically savvy or gain new skills. With many of us working remotely online, this may be the time to access remote learning and acquire skills to boost your knowledge and strengthen your resume.
Finances
Increasing your earning potential is only one component of financial security. We need to build from a solid foundation which (among other things) requires fiscal responsibility in the use of high interest credit cards or deciding to rent or purchase a home for your family. With today’s interest rates at historic lows, now may be the time to buy a home. Your monthly mortgage payment may be less than what you pay in rent and the equity you build over time will serve you well. If you now have a mortgage, you may want to consider refinancing to access a lower rate or shorter term.
Personal
With financial security comes peace of mind which may then allow you to pursue altruistic endeavors. Ask yourself: How can I be a better person? What can I do to help a family member, friend or neighbor? Whether you choose to support a nonprofit, become active in your community, volunteer or just help another in need, the benefits you reap may be much more than anything you give.
We’re all here for such a short time. None of us will survive this life’s journey without experiencing hardship, pain and disappointments. Give back now while you can and leave a positive legacy for all whom you touch.
Let’s all work together to make 2021 a better year.
Happy New Year!