It weighs heavily on my mind that I am less than 12 months away from a “milestone” year, a term which I despise. Instinctually I’d react by thinking about my achievements, goals and where I would want to be before that day.

Then the second phase, “bargaining” begins. Then you say to yourself “you haven’t done that badly have you?”

We can see inevitably where this train of thought is going. I also know it is even worse to do these mental gymnastics routines while things aren’t going your way. But it’s inevitable.

Today for example I asked myself how I would feel if I was to conk out tomorrow. The expected outcome would be a surge of inspiration, positivity and rainbows. Instead I got this:

“I’d barrel through the gates indifferent, with a mortagage and engulfed in emails, spreadsheets and an unfinished to-do list.”

Positive.

I stewed on the thought, shrugged my shoulders and said to myself “so be it.”

I actually managed to get work done. Because in my glorious mind acceptance dropped all burdens of expectation. And if this is how I feel then anything better is a bonus.

Sometimes we need to get out of our own way to move ahead.