What's your Y.I.D.E.?

My friend, Maurice, calls it his Y.I.D.E., his Year Inspiring Defining Event (some call it a Misogi, same idea). It is a very special event (not a thing) that starts and finishes within the year, jazzes you up, requires thought and preparation and will likely be one of your highlights of the year. He gives a detailed explanation in the attached video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4aWH0ZWZucg

I've got my first one picked out and it's all because I've been reading.

It’s satisfying to look back over the books I’ve read (and listened to) over the last year. It’s a bit embarrassing too, as I think, “Did I read that? Why don’t I remember a thing?!” ‍

It was interesting to note how few fiction books I choose, how much easier it is to go through audiobooks (but I still love me a good ‘ol page-turnable book!), and what little takeaways I not only remember, but utilize.

Perhaps the most influential book for me this year has been The 12-Hour Walk, by Colin O’Grady, a 10-time world-breaking explorer and extreme athlete. Although his feats are far (like reeeeally far) from something most of us mere mortals would want to do, he has come up with an idea that piqued my interest, will be my Y.I.D.E. and may just be my game-changer for the year 2024!

Colin has come up with an idea so good I wish I had thought of it and I’m telling you about it in case you want to join me or do some version of it yourself. It has a very low barrier to entry, costs no money, takes only 1 day out of your year, and has the potential to deliver some eye-opening results.

The 12 Hour Walk

It’s a walk. A solo walk. Right out your front door. For 12 hours. Alone. No screens. No podcasts. No texting. No calls. No emails. Just you in the great outdoors. It doesn’t matter how far you walk and it doesn’t matter how often (or for how long) you stop to rest, it just matters that you are out in the world for 12 hours, on a solo mini-expedition!

There is a community date of Saturday, January 6th; I think it's cool to know that people all over the world are doing the walk on the same day. Since I will be flying all day, I will commit to going on another date, as soon as possible!

I go back and forth between excited and fearful of the experience (I'm fearful less about the walk itself and more about spending 12 hours in silence with myself), but I know at the end of the day, I will be glad I did it.

I'm looking forward to this time of introspection and I can't wait to come out on the other side!

If you’d like more information about the walk check out Colin's site and his short, inspiring videos that go with each chapter of the book. 12HourWalk.com

Now...your life, your version, your plan...

- Reflect on some of your (perhaps unintentional) Y.I.D.E.'s for 2023 - celebrate your successes!

- This time next year, what do you want to remember 2024 as?

- If some version of the 12-Hour Walk doesn't resonate with you, list some ideas that may be a good Y.I.D.E. for you.

2024, the year to be remembered as 'that's the year I did ...'

Let me know if you sign up!

Meanwhile, while I didn’t remember to list all the books I read this year, here are some of the books I read (or listened to) in 2023, in case you are looking for something for your nightstand. Next year, I’d like to make a note of takeaways from each book to jog my memory!