2020 has been a hard year. (That’s an understatement!) 2020 has been a dumpster-fire of a year. (OK, that’s a bit overkill.) Probably somewhere in between there is the word I am looking for. What an incredibly challenging year this has been on all fronts of life and leadership.

I have been so proud and have been inspired so many times as I have watched many of you lean into the challenges this pandemic has presented. You have led your teams and your families through the uncertainty with courage and resilience. Many of you have expressed that, even despite the real challenges and struggles, you have experienced growth through this difficult time, which is incredible. There are aspects of your character, relationships and work that are stronger today because of what we have had to go through. 

But it has been hard. Even if you have experienced growth, you may be weary of the journey. I’m right there with you. 

As we get to the last few weeks of 2020, as excited as I am for the new year and new beginnings, I feel convicted to try and finish strong. Here’s what we all know to be true...2021 will bring its own struggles. 

I’m not quite done with 2020 yet, and I don’t want you to be either. As hard as this year has been, I think there is still something good left to be accomplished.

In the last few weeks, there have been some trends in my conversations around a few “hard things” which seem to keep coming up that folks have been putting off. I’ve felt compelled to lean in on one of these and have encouraged others to do the same to finish this year strong.

Here’s a few of the hard things that keep coming up in my conversations:

• Making a Will

• Forgiving Someone

• Getting on a Budget

Some of these conversations have been at the end of life, in the midst of crisis or loss, and just trying to navigate through this pandemic. These have brought up a lot of regrets and “I wish I would have…” statements. 

And I just wonder what it would be like to send 2020 off by knocking one last hard thing off your list. 

Make a Will

I have walked with hundreds of families after they have lost a loved one. Grief is hard enough as it is. When there is no will in place, chaos and courts often intersect and it can get messy and downright ugly. And yet, I haven’t done a will myself. I want to plan as though I could die tonight on my way to Walmart, and live as though I will get to play on the floor with my grandkids one day. A will gives clarity to those we leave behind what our wishes are. It is really an act of love. It also requires a lot of humility - which may be why I have put it off. How’s that for being brutally honest...

Forgive ________

Maybe you have been holding onto an offense for some time now. Someone, maybe a family member, a co-worker, a friend wronged you in one way or another. You have carried that brick around for a while and it’s weighing you down. Imagine the freedom and peace you would experience if you were to unload that offense and forgive them. Forgiveness doesn’t equal trust. Trust is built back through hard work over time. The weight of unforgiveness is a heavy burden to bear. Is there someone you need to forgive? 

Get on a Budget, Really.

I’ve also had a lot of conversations about budgeting and emergency funds lately. What if 2020 was the last year you wondered where your money went and started to be intentional about telling your money where to go? What if you began to balance giving, saving and spending in such a way that leads you to future goals and opportunities? What if you had an emergency fund or “rainy day fund” for WHEN (not if) you get that next flat tire, the heater goes out, or something happens that often causes people to go into panic mode. This could be the year. Never again.

What will it be for you? Here’s the deal - you just have to decide.

Do one more hard thing this year. 

Here’s what I will do for you: Send me an email at nick.braschler@simfoods.com and let me know what your “One Thing” is that you want to do before the end of the year. I will commit to following up with you about it. There’s a 10% probability of execution if all you have is an idea. Basically, you won't take action on it. When you have a plan, a completion date, and someone else who has promised to hold you accountable and that will ask about it on a specific date - there is a 90% probability of success. 

I told my Chaplain team last week that I would finish my will by the end of the year. They are going to hold me to it. Feel free to ask me next time I see you.  

This is important and you won’t regret it. Shoot me a message and I’ll walk with you. 

Further Resources

Will Preparation

https://www.mamabearlegalforms.com/start-your-will

Forgiveness

http://chaplains.simmonsfoods.com/forgiveness

Budgeting

https://www.daveramsey.com/budgeting/how-to-budget

https://www.everydollar.com/ (Free budgeting tool)

Nick Braschler, Director of Chaplain Services

nick.braschler@simfoods.com | 479.228.3270