Goal-Setting Tips from an Alpine Meadow

Making New Year’s resolutions for 2021? Draw inspiration from on high.

4,500+ feet above sea level to be exact.

On New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, that elevation is well beyond the treeline—an ecological limit beyond which trees cannot grow due to cold temperatures, excessive snowpack, and low moisture.

Whenever I climb above the treeline, I’m amazed at the heartiness and beauty of the alpine flowers that have to push their way through the snow in order to soak up the glorious sun.

Sound familiar?

As I kick off 2021:

> I’ve been working remotely for 9+ months.
> My college-aged kids aren’t sure they’ll be able to return to campus as planned.
> We’ve had our first confirmed case in our extended family.
...and we have it better than most.

Any alpine flower will tell you that surviving and thriving in a difficult climate requires two things: strong roots and time.

Try to take a similar approach when making this year’s resolutions.

> Choose new habits and goals that include self-care and evergreen fundamentals like learning and growth.

> Be patient with yourself and your expectations for improvement.

We may be through the most difficult phase of the current crisis, but we’re not back to the lush woods just yet.