As I reflect on 2017, I am attempting to practice what I preach. I want to be sure to embrace all the wonderful experiences, both amazing & challenging, that made the year I turned 50 so productive and fun.
I have been so very fortunate and humbled to see the progress and spectacular growth within the companies and individuals I get to work with. Being able to provide a small contribution to these hard working, open, and caring people has been spectacular By helping others achieve their goals, I’m achieving my own. 2017 has been filled with this type of victory.
In my personal life, the strategic decision Reka and I made almost two years ago to adjust our focus to monthly adventures has been nothing short of life-changing for us both. The adventures and experiences have been extraordinary. In addition, the personal growth toward being my best self that has been a direct result of this time has been a very pleasant surprise.
I can’t say 2017 was without challenges–there were many. In the grand scheme of things, they were all first world problems and when reframed, each could be looked upon as a learning opportunity. There are still things that piss me off, but I’m trying to spin the narrative in my head, learn what I can from it, and let the rest go.
The biggest surprise for 2017 has been around the clarity and calm I have been finding within myself. I really push the teams and individuals I work with to take scheduled time to allow their subconscious to tell you what it is thinking—time to slow down, disconnect, and possibly achieve some clarity. Because I push for this, and I will not allow myself to be a hypocrite, I have been forcing myself to engage in more structured clarity time myself; I typically get around 5 days a week for at least 30-45 minutes. While I have practiced Thai Chi and meditation for years, I have really ramped it up this year and I am pleased with the results.
I tell my clients that I feel obligated to be my very best self for them when we are in session. I genuinely mean this and want to give them my all. I am coming to the conclusion that this goal of giving everything I can and being prepared as I can has had an amazing boomerang benefit to me. By focusing on trying to be my best self for my clients via my exercise, diet, meditation and even sleep, I am much clearer in my goals and much more at peace, all the time, for myself and Reka.
This isn’t to suggest that I think I am getting to be like the Tibetan Monks at the Kopan Monastery where I spent some time in late 90s–I AM NOT even close. I can still become a grumpy bastard at the drop of a hat, have an addiction to French fries, lose site of what is important, listen poorly, and on and on.
The point is this: I am understanding the idea that life really is a journey, filled with the good and the bad, the amazing and frustrating, but it comes down to how we look at and handle those situations. I am in hopes that the cumulative events of 2017 enabled me to be just little bit better at handling life’s curveballs. I am grateful for my experiences and really jazzed about the future opportunities to journey toward my “best self” in 2018.
Happy New Year!
Are you or your business ready to be your best selves in 2018? I’m always here to help, no expectation or obligation. Reach out anytime.
