For many of us, 2024 was a rough year on many levels. Most of us left for our traditional breakaway in December feeling completely depleted. For the most part of that last stretch, I wondered why this was the narrative I heard from myself and so many other people; what made 2024 so difficult? Is this not how every year-end is experienced, but this one was just a bit fresher than the previous one?
Whether it was really as rough as we experienced it or not, most of us spent our days off and hopefully reached that point where the days started melting into one another. You know that space where you no longer know what day it is. For me, a December holiday means a lot of sun, reading and beach time. So that is exactly what we enjoyed as a family. There is a sense of magic to it, the heat, the feeling of it on your skin and the sparkle you see on the grains of sand and in the water. It really is just magical.
The problem is returning to the reality of the day-to-day. For most of us, this is difficult as we desperately try to hold onto that sense of peace and magic. But at some point, we need to return fully, and the experience of that is often one of sadness and a sense of loss. We leave something that we feel speaks to our soul behind. But I don’t think we should see it that way. We should fight with conviction to hold onto that magic.
Many of us try to fill this void with some good old New Year’s resolutions – but in my experience, this never works. We need to trust ourselves that the year ahead will be a good one because that is what we are seeking, and we need to put in the work to really achieve that. It is helpful to set decent goals using a sound methodology, but it is critical for you to keep your goal in mind for the next month, week, day and even hour. Break it into smaller pieces so that it is at the forefront of the mind all the time. That means the goals cannot be superficial; they really need to have the sense of excitement and fulfilment we may have experienced in our recent break. Often, the more profound and fundamental issue is that we actually do not trust ourselves to make the changes required to fulfil these aspirations and bring that magic into the day-to-day.
The path to personal trust requires self-reflection, intentional behaviour, and continuous improvement. When you are trustworthy, you and others see you as dependable, honest, and capable, leading to stronger, more productive relationships. At its core, personal trust is about credibility. Without it, relationships falter, communication breaks down, and opportunities diminish. In a world where relationships drive success—both personally and professionally—trust is the currency of influence, collaboration, and fulfilment.
In the book “The Speed of Trust” by Stephen MR Covey, he identifies four essential cores that form the foundation of trustworthiness. Improving these areas can elevate your credibility:
- Integrity:
Be honest and live according to your values. Even when it is difficult, align your actions with your words.
- Intent:
Your motives matter. When others perceive that you have their best interests at heart, trust grows. Acting with transparency and goodwill ensures that your intentions are not misunderstood.
- Capabilities:
Your skills, knowledge, and abilities must be up to the task. Demonstrating expertise and the ability to adapt fosters confidence in your competence.
- Results:
People trust those who deliver. Building a track record of achieving what you promise reinforces trust over time.
Building personal trust benefits you and influences those around you, so why not make that centre to your goals this year? When you consistently display trustworthy behaviours, you inspire others to do the same, creating a culture of trust in your relationships and community. High-trust relationships foster collaboration, resilience, and mutual success. As your credibility grows, so will the strength of your relationships and the opportunities that come your way so that the magic remains firmly present every day.
