Make New Year Your Year

As 2024 comes to a close, I always take time to reflect before setting intentions for the next year. Over the years, my reflections have evolved:

✦ At first, it was all about: What did I achieve?

✦ Later, I added: What did I learn? 

✦ And then, I began asking: What did I experience?

Changing the questions I asked myself changed how I experienced life.

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🌟 Goals to Vision

I spent years chasing “more” but I realized this pursuit wasn’t fulfilling. Instead of focusing solely on goals, I shifted to vision:

✦ What do I want my life to stand for?

✦ Who do I need to become to fulfill this vision?

This inward shift helped me reflect on my character, values, energy, and how I respond to challenges. It became less about doing and more about being.

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⚡️ Power of Facing Fear

A pivotal moment came when I asked myself a deeper question: What am I afraid of?

Inspired by Jeff Thompson, a martial arts champion turned spiritual teacher, who shared a tool called the Pyramid of Fear. He listed his fears, from smallest to biggest, and faced them one by one. The process transformed his life.

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🔺 My Own Pyramid of Fear

These were my top fears:

1️⃣ Quitting the corporate world after 20 years: Addicted to the security of a paycheck which I tied to my self-worth.

2️⃣ Starting my coaching business: Uncertainty felt overwhelming, failure and judgment.

3️⃣ Ending a 7-year relationship: Hurting someone I deeply cared about and being blamed.

4️⃣ Moving to another new country: The unknown, what if I regretted my decision?

Just writing these down took courage, but it was the first step toward change.

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🦋 Transformation

Through personal growth, I found the courage to face these fears. It wasn’t easy, but it was deeply rewarding. Over time, I learned to untangle the stories I told myself, and I gained a deeper sense of self-belief.

Life isn’t about eliminating fear. It’s about recognizing it as a story and choosing not to let it hold you back.

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🌱 Let 2025 be the year you transform fear into freedom

If fear has been stopping you, know you don’t have to face it alone. I’m here to help support you in making the decisions your heart knows are right for you.

Wishing you a Courageous 2025!

Dean Arcan