Earlier this year, many people in my mastermind group were setting detailed, numbers-driven goals — KPIs, performance metrics, the whole bit.
And honestly? I just couldn’t get there.
It was a struggle to create that spreadsheet. Trying to visualize my year in columns and rows. I absolutely procrastinated and delayed on that project. (I think it drives my coach a bit bonkers.)
And then, one morning, I remember saying, “I want to rekindle my relationship with the sunrise.” The darkness of the winter had certainly gotten under my skin, and my habit of early rising had slipped away.
“Huh,” I thought. “What if I just need different measurement criteria?”
So I made a commitment: To experience 52 sunrises this year.
Today, I’m on the East Coast for a speaking gig. My alarm was set, and I was out of bed and down to the beach by 5:47 a.m. EDT. Ouch! That’s 2:47 a.m. my time.
And it was worth it.
To watch the sun rise out of the ocean.
To sit in stillness. To hear the waves. To watch the cormorants dip in and out of the water.
At home in Portland, I chase the sunrise up Mount Tabor to see it rise behind Mount Hood, a breathtaking experience in itself.
But this morning was different.
The ocean in front of me. The horizon wide open. A whole new perspective.
I sat there and felt so grateful. And so in awe.
Every sunrise is magical.
This year, I continue to measure success in moments like this — not metrics.
Presence over performance. Wonder over worry.
Just a chance to take a breath and be grateful.
Here’s one of those moments I captured this morning:
I hope you’ll find a moment of magic today.