2018: Let's Do This!

Let's look inside and identify our biases and prejudices and confront them head on.

Let's take a beat before we speak or write something in a public or online forum, vet it for truth based on actual experience and then ask ourselves, "What's the ROI?" If there's none, duh-lete.

Let's get honest with ourselves about our jobs. Are we doing our very best work and, if not, why? Doing just enough is a level we should never accept of ourselves as professionals and specialists in what we do. "Always do YOUR best." Greatest advice I've ever received.

Let's stop being fearful of approaching our supervisors and asking for their honest feedback about the job we're doing. Knowing where you stand and their level of respect for you or your work will empower you with the information you need to crush it even harder or head for the exits.

Let's remember this billion-dollar phrase: "It's about the business." You were specifically hired to do a job. Sure, you're kinda funny, too. But your skills and abilities are why you were hired. When you get emotional or disgruntled or in any way distract from the business, you are, officially, in breach of contract. Real talk. Let your success be about contributing to the success of the business. Not about whether or not you're universally liked. Do. Your. Job.

Let's worry less about what other people think or what other people make. Steph Curry's father gave him some incredible advice while he was an NBA darling making only a fraction of other NBA players' contracts, "Never spend another man's money." Meaning, don't concern yourself with what someone else is making. Focus on the money you're making. Put your head down and do great work. And when it's time to come to the table you'll be rewarded handsomely. And if you're not, someone's out there waiting to snap you up and pay you even more.

Let's be honest with one another. Conversations are only crunchy because we fear not being liked. I'd much rather be respected for telling it like it is than to be liked for keeping the peace but not stating my truth.

Let's agree to disagree, but not back down from a spirited debate. Debate is a gift that we continue to leave under the tree. Our points of view are unique, and that's to be celebrated. Having even a heated debate allows us the opportunity to hear an opposing viewpoint, and often rethink what we hold as truth. We don't have to agree completely with one another. But I believe we do much more harm not having the conversation and making judgments about one another that simply aren't true and based on zero context.

Let's forgive ourselves in 2018. We all make mistakes. We've all been taken advantage of. And we all have an opportunity to look at our failures as lessons and an opportunity to get it right the next time. Holding onto negative events in our lives and not simply looking at them as lessons and moving on keeps us rooted in the negative space...physically and emotionally. Forgiveness is hard work. Especially forgiving yourself. But, it's essential to move forward and thrive. Let it go. Simple as that.

Let's take on some side hustle in 2018. My #1 first date question is, "So, what's your artistic outlet?" More often the not I'll get stammering or the dreaded, "Hmmm...I don't have one. I'm not very artistic." Check please! Side hustle is the perfect opportunity to learn a new language or master a new skill or start a new business that feeds the opposite side of your brain and maybe pulls in a little extra cash. As automation takes hold at our companies it would behoove you to embrace some side hustle in case you find a pink slip on your desk instead of the mail. (My current side hustles: portrait photographer, freelance journalist, NIX+BOW, interior design, learning Italian)

Let's get a mentor or coach this year. I've been a mentor to several millennials for years (who are CRUSHING IT thankyouverymuch) and I'm also a 1:1 coach for a handful of private clients. I also have a coach who I talk to every Tuesday morning at 9am. Without fail. I owe much of my sanity and success to him because he's the ONLY person who gets me and whom I've allowed beyond that final wall I've built as an entrepreneur. We need that honest, no BS, no-I'm-not-wiping-your-ass-today voice in our head to call out our bad behavior, or self-deprecating language, or move past an emotional blockage that keeps us back. Coaches and mentors are CRITICAL to your success. All top entrepreneurs have them. If you don't have one you should be asking yourself, "Why not?"

Let's buy less crap and travel more. Let's buck the trend and actually use our vacation time. I'm not obtuse. I know most people aren't going to take a full 2 weeks off work at a time. So go on a few 4-day adventures. Take a Friday and a Monday off, hop a plane from SFO late Thursday afternoon and walk into the office on Tuesday morning rocking the tattoo you just got in Paris. Gonzo that shit and stuff as much sightseeing, food and culture you can into those 4 days. You can always go back for more. And then head to Mexico or Italy or Toronto the following month. Chew on this: 3 weeks vacation = 15 days. 2 days off per trip = 7 trips somewhere...in one year! Screw that Mercedes. Allocate that $400/mo for adventure! LIVE your life and see the world. Your work and quality of life will actually improve.

Let's learn more about one another. We live on our phones. But food and drink are the great equalizers. Host a potluck at your apartment and invite a few randos from varied generation, ethnicities, religious faiths, etc. Nothing fancy. Lots of booze. Write out some questions ahead of time and have people pull one from a hat and answer in a judgment-free zone. As cheesy as it sounds it's a great way to get to know people, how they think, their backgrounds and what makes them tick. People are infinitely fascinating. We just never give one another the opportunity to tell us about them. I do this for a living now and it's transcendent. Try this with a simple potluck or meet up and you'll be amazed at how addictive it becomes, the new friends you'll make and the commonalities you actually share.

Let's BE BETTER this year. Better employees. Better listeners. Better citizens. Better friends. Better parents. Better ambassadors. Better humans. We have such strength in numbers. So let's pool our collective voices and combat hatred and division. We have the ability to lend a hand, so let's do it without angling for a "like" or "YouTube moment." Let's be better. Less divisive. Less suspicious, judgmental and dismissive of one another. Always remember: Nothing of beauty has ever grown from a single ray of negative light. (I made that up.)

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2018. See the world and allow it to see you. And be the very best version of yourself EVER!