I spent most of 2022 longing for something different, dissecting what I didn’t have and concluding that certain things would never be for me. Whenever the wallowing would reach a point too pathetic to take myself seriously, I repeated a phrase Craig Ferguson shared during a March 2019 appearance on the TigerBelly podcast: “Nothing changes if nothing changes.” Obvious? Yes, but effective nonetheless.
Ferguson’s words have assisted with tasks of all sizes, from answering friends’ message in a timely manner to tackling work with the energy required to be proud of my output. I’m far from where I want to be – from where I believe I deserve to be – but I’m trying to be more intentional about both my vision of the future and my plan of action.
Where Ferguson’s words have felt futile, I’ve revisited a mantra M.C. Serch credited to his wife during an appearance on the My Expert Opinion podcast in late November: “How you do anything is how you do everything.” Perhaps guilt-tripping myself into storing cereal boxes “the right way” in the wee hours of the night isn’t healthy, but I’ve found value in the nine-word phrase – in particular as it relates to my professional development. The rushed assignments I’m not passionate about reflect poorly on my character even if my highlights are praiseworthy.
A friend shared a powerful message with me sometime last week: “[You] can’t limit the expansion of your reality bc someone else’s frame of view is limited.” His words have been showing up in my mind at random moments à la internet pop-up ads from the early aughts.
Surprisingly, the announcement of Ja Morant’s first signature shoe, the Nike Ja 1, has also formed part of my desire to change things moving forward: “Beneath No One” – the words Morant’s parents shared with him when he was young and doubtful of his greatness – appear on the sneaker, which he debuted in a Christmas Day game against the Golden State Warriors. For so long I’ve been proud of “knowing my place,” but notice I’ve subconciously become disillusioned about my capabilities in the process. My plan has been to instill an unwavering confidence in my children (whenever I have them), but I’ve overlooked the necessity to live what I’d be preaching.
I’m excited for 2023. Although there are several prospects in my personal life, I’m more eager to see how my work efforts develop throughout the next year. I want to interview more people, go on more business trips, and further cement my legacy within the worlds of sneakers and writing.
Who knows how I’ll internalize the over four hundred words that precede this sentence when I read them over on Dec. 28, 2023, but I’m ready to position myself adequately enough to be proud that the first glimpse of intentionality arrived before New Year’s Day.