I get sappy and nostalgic this time of year as I reflect on past accomplishments, lessons I've learned and people that passed by who made a profound impact on my life. This year was close to perfect for me- every aspect fell into place professionally and personally and I'm sitting in gratitude. But it didn't happen by accident- the choices I made and the goals I set were fully realized this year. Here are some of my guiding principles in life:
1. Show Courage- Just when everyone around you tells you it can't be done and why would you ever consider doing it is when I usually kick in. As Steve Jobs said, "don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
2. Learn to Forgive- Hilary Clinton's mother once said "Life is not about what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you." I believe this is the real essence of forgiveness and what it means to move from blaming others instead of looking at the lesson to learn for deeper growth.
3. Be Brilliant- How often do we wake up and think "today, I'm going to be brilliant?" Being brilliant doesn't require extra years of education or a special degree from a prestigious school, it's about striking your best pose and holding it for awhile.
4. Feel Joy- How wonderful it feels to sit in complete joy- even if it lasts a few seconds or a few months. Find what brings you job and include more of that in your life.
5. Act Determined- What is it that drives you so strongly that you don't accept any interruptions or allow yourself to be sidetracked with distractions? How do you follow that light when you are dedicated to something so important that everything else is secondary?
6. Listen to your Intuition- My biggest business tool is my intuition- it guides me on every project, in every training session, all client interactions and my marketing presence. It is never wrong, it has never lied to me nor betrayed me. Sometimes, I slip and forget to listen to it and regret that when its too late.
7. Choose Simplicity- Some people have very hard lives and some are addicted to making them harder than they really are. The past few years of austerity has taught us to be efficient and keep things simple- there is magic in appreciating less- which means so much more.
8. Give Generously- Being generous isn't about spending money on others- it is about taking the time to listen to someone in a way they feel heard and that you captured the essense of who they are. It requires you stepping outside of yourself and giving more than what was asked.
9. Create Adventures- We all have an adventurous streak- some are louder and more dangerous. It is about exploring without a roadmap and standing on the edge of something shaky.
10. Keep Skating- Listen to James Taylor sing River.
Click here to view the embedded video.