January 6, 2017

IN THE SADDLE: Setting goals and reflecting on the year that has been

The new year is celebrated in a number of different ways, styles and parties! Thank goodness for this. Can you imagine how boring it would be if everyone had to conform and see the new year in on the dance floor of a night club?!

With 2016 now the year that has been, and 2017 the adventure that lies ahead, there are plenty of new year’s resolutions making their way onto social media and people’s personal goal lists. So are you a person for new year’s resolutions? Or do you find that one week in they become the hardest things to keep? Maybe we shouldn’t call them resolutions. Rather, we should look at them as goals that will help us live a more balanced life.

For me, 2016, was a year with a lot of lessons, cool experiences and many firsts. All in all it made me a stronger person. I spent a lot of time riding my bike, something that keeps me sane and allows me to experience life from a different view point. Here is an infographic that shows my 2016 in the saddle.

I rode almost 19 000 km in 2016!

Looking at this, I am reminded that it’s important to take a step back and review what you have done. I don’t ride a bike to get pats on the back. I ride partly because it’s a great reliever of stress, but mainly because it allows me to organise my thoughts and relax.

But enough about me. What are your plans for 2017? Take the time to plan a bit, because time has this funny habit of running away.

Twitter is a phenomenal news feed and one that I really enjoy. I read a tweet this morning from Ryan Banks, aka Banksy. If you don’t know him, look him up. He has a couple of answers to life’s questions that I find inspiring.


Banksy’s words reminded me how important it is to value the relationships that you have with people and to take the opportunities that are given to you. I don’t like overthinking things, but sometimes it’s important to reflect…

What does the future hold? If I knew, life wouldn’t be as exciting as it is. I am eager to find out, though. It looks exciting, that’s for sure! Loads in store for 2017 and plenty of opportunities to come. Let’s klap it.

Here’s to a killer 2017; take those opportunities and remember to empower people!