23

Michael Jordan. LeBron James. David Beckham.

There's one thing all of these have in common, besides their sports greatness: they all had number 23 on their backs during (a part of) their careers. I'm not at all into numerology, and never got to personally wear #23 in the sport I played, but thanks to these greats the number still brings this winning vibe and gives me the feeling that New Year 2023, that we just kicked off, can indeed be a great one.

While a part of what this year will turn into depends on the things beyond our control, the lion's share is in our hands. Regarding the latter, let me share a few thoughts that came to mind, and perhaps help make this '23 a champions year, worthy of its number. ??

Say Good morning. Call it a cultural difference, or my lack of adaptability, but I don't think I'll ever get used to people not saying Good morning. Be it in the apartment building, the office elevator or your gym's dressing room... say Good morning! This world is in desperate need of kindness, and your Good morning may be that little spark that will change someone's day for better. It doesn't cost anything. And it feels good to you, too.

A queue outside doesn't mean that what's inside is good (for you). I'm sure you've been to a restaurant or a bar where there's a long line of people waiting to get in. Or to some of those that have stellar Google reviews. I've been to a few. And while some were very good, even excellent, a couple of them I completely disliked. A complete disappointment. That doesn't mean that the reviews were fake or that the people waiting the line have no taste. Not at all. These places were just not good for me.?

When it comes to matters of common sense, majority is sometimes right. And it's not necessarily always wrong to be a part of the crowd. But even then, make sure to keep your true, unique, authentic self. It's OK to be a rebel (Prof. Gino advocates nicely for it in her Rebel Talent), and you'll find out that at some paths that take you to places that are really great for you - there's no queue at all.

Be intentful. Have you set your 2023 goals yet? I'm definitely not a "new year new me" type, but I still like the cutoff between the years as an opportunity to stop for a moment and reflect. We don't get many of those in our regular routine of days in and days out.

What is it, concretely, that you plan to do in 2023 that will help you achieve what you wish for? How should that be different from what you've been doing so far (doing more of the same may be just as fine, too)? Even better if you write it in the comments below (for I will hold you accountable!), but if you don't it's still good, reflecting on it and setting your mind and your eyes on the goal(s) will do just fine. As long as you're mindful of it and stick to the intent. Going with the flow likely won't be too rewarding. Your intention will.

Discipline and consistency go a long way. It was 1 hour past midnight and the streets of Berlin were nearly deserted as I was walking home. There were only a few people here and there, and very rarely a car drove by. At one point, the traffic light turned red for pedestrians at Invalidenstrasse. Not a single vehicle in sight. No cameras nor a hidden police officer with a ticket book. Yet, the two people walking in front of me stopped. And waited. And I waited along. A minute's wait in the dead of the night seemed quite long, but this minute helped me understand a good point: discipline goes a long way. And there's a reason to it: it brings order. And order is the antidote to chaos, which ultimately means progress. Whether you think individually, or better yet if you bring this up to the level of a family, a company or even a country, long-term consistency in it will inevitably bring miraculous results. Unlike with the first point above, this is something I gladly adapted to.

Make '23 amazing, dear friends, and play it as Jordan, James or Beckham would. Or even better - as the best you would!?