Over the past few months, and especially over this recent Christmas / New Year break I have made several small changes that have surprisingly acted as kickstarters of new growth for me as I head back to work in late January.
- Phone free bookend to my day. In October last year, I decided to start and end each day with an hour of phone free time. In the morning, I wake about 6:00am, get dressed casually, write in my journal, read my Bible, take my dog for a short walk, do some exercises and stretches, and then have breakfast and shower. All by 7:15am. This routine has become quite empowering for me and a great way to start the day more productively. No more emails, news, or Instagram feeds clogging my mind as I start my day.
- I cleaned my office properly. It feels so good to work in my office this year. I really did a huge clean up. I undid all the cables and moved my 3 computer screens. I emptied my intray of accumulated stuff. I dusted thoroughly, and sorted loads of papers and stuff on my book shelves and from my filing cabinet. I threw out 2 yellow bins of papers, and old stuff I had not used for a couple of years. I did not realise how unproductive a space my office had become for me. Now it is clean, and neat, and the bookshelves look good. I no longer need to blur my video background on Teams calls. I have become more productive. I have started writing a book which I have been ‘researching’ (read ‘procrastinating’) for several years. I have energy for the writing process which had eluded me for a long time.
- House vanity project. I have made a serious decision about making my lawns look better. We have the worst front lawn in the street. My neighbour recently thanked me for how my terrible looking lawn makes his look so good. Perhaps my neighbour has touched my competitive nerve, or perhaps I am just making changes this year. I have researched and bought fertiliser and weed killer and bought a very good tool to aerate the large bare patches of soil. I have been watering consistently, and the heavens have helped recently with lots of rain. Things are already looking much better. I am mowing my grass areas more regularly and two of our four areas are starting to look like lawns. This is very satisfying. The plan moving forward, is for a load of ‘chicken poop infused’ soil for topdressing, lots more watering, and for one larger bald patch (10sqm), turf will be purchased. After seven years of procrastination, we have significant progress.
- Something different for New Year. I started the year with a 3-day (72 hour) water only fast. It was a chance to remind my body that I am in control, not food or any other appetites. It was also a chance to devote time to listening – to my heart and to God. I had already stepped up my journalling and that has been a good experience most mornings. Along with less phone time at the start and end of the day, this has made a dramatic difference in helping me to be more present – not just in the mornings but through all the varied people connections of my day.
- Our health project. My wife and I have been researching a new lifestyle for eating that will release more ketones in our bodies. My wife has significant health issues and after years of various medicines and slow improvements, we are ready to seriously address our diet. Dr. Boz (Annette Bosworth, MD) has impressed us with her knowledge and experience and her heart to serve people who are unwell. We were both diet cynics, regarding her Keto diet. However, after many hours of videos, starting with her interview with Stephen Bartlett on his podcast, Diary of A CEO, we have begun to measure our carb intake, and to radically reduce our daily carbs down to 20g per day. We are ready to radically change our lifestyle around food to see if we can overcome chronic disease and start to live with clearer brains and healthier bodies.
Some lessons need to be relearned over and again
As I write, I recall this to be a lesson I have learned several times throughout my life. Learning about the power of small changes is one of those lessons I learned and then forgotten when I became busy doing the next things. For example, I remember in 2007 after a traumatic time in my life, when I was so unwell emotionally, and I signed up for an outdoor exercise class 3 evenings a week. That class, after about 3 weeks of muscle pain, became an incredible benefit to me in building physical fitness, reducing stress, and restoring my mental health. That step led to me making changes in my work and then studying to gain a qualification that has led to me starting my business as a Business Coach and Mentor in 2010.
I am more excited about life in 2026 than I have been for several years. Small changes have led to fresh inspiration and momentum for more important changes in my daily life.
What small changes could you make that might act as a catalyst for change in your life in 2026?
John Drury Business Mentor – mentoring to develop the leader within you, and to raise up and empower the leaders around you. If you want to become a better leader within your business, please reach out for a free conversation (Book here).
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