FROM ORDINARY TO EXCEPTIONAL. WHAT IS NEXT? FROM THE COMFORT ZONE OF TRADITION TO NEW FRONTIERS OF UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES.

Shanee Moret Dr. Ed Leshin Gerry Savage, MBA Leon Codron Eastland Collen Joseph Scalia, Jr. Dan McCormick Kelly O'Neill Paola Sanmiguel, M.S. IDBT REMY SZYKIER Scott Bennett Jocilyn Johnson Marleen Nijhof Martin Hogg Meghan Hicks Peter Sutherland Redwood, MS

Our society is evolving at an uncontrollable speed. Almost every facet of what we do, where we live, how we live, and how we interact with our fellow humans is dramatically changing.

In the last 30 years, we have seen incredible advances in science, medicine, technology, and human relationships. We have moved from predictability and calculable outcomes to ever-changing, dynamic, fluid data with uncertain prognostications. We have even identified very different behaviors and mindsets across generational age differences. The baby boomers, Generation X, Y, and Z, among others, are evolving—not to mention ethnic differences.

We are affected in every aspect of our lives, whether it is how we shop, what we shop for, what we eat, how we dress, how we think, or what we think, what we do, and how we do it. We are generally attracted to things that instill curiosity and allow us to dream into realms very different from the limited realities we thought we had as we grew up.

Speaking to a cross-section of age groups, we sometimes wonder if we are living on the same planet. This can be exciting or cause us to feel apprehensive. We have two choices: remain in the mainstream of our dogmatic traditions or explore our own new realities with the unlimited possibilities offered. Historically, we were taught to "toe the line" and "follow the system." Generally, we fell into a comfort zone of known parameters, finding our way within those limitations by choosing traditional careers according to scholastic achievements or other talents.

The arrival of technology completely changed everything, adding another dimension to our options. The speed with which technology has evolved and permeated all aspects of our society has created unbelievable opportunities for many and great stress for those who chose not to embrace this from the beginning. When we ask someone what they do for a living, many times we are baffled by the answers because we really don't know what they are talking about, and even when they patiently try to explain, we are sometimes even more confused.

We are witnessing the erosion of standards and values in so many traditionally great companies that once led the way in their time, now reduced to a cesspool of corruption and doubtful competitive practices. Here too, we have choices. We can accept the status quo and go along with the path of least resistance, or we can explore the unlimited options we have to rid ourselves of mental cobwebs and embrace exciting new possibilities.

We are inundated with easily accessible information that allows us to develop whatever latent skills or interests we have. First, we must ask ourselves what exactly we want. Then, how badly do we want it? And third, what are we willing to do to achieve it?

If there's anything I have learned in the past few years, it is that if we discipline ourselves to allocate a strict regimen of time to something important that inspires us with passion, we can achieve our dreams. I believe that by removing self-doubt and embracing our fears, little stands in our way. We should look forward to Mondays rather than shortening our lives by only looking forward to Fridays. Stop complaining about all the things that are not to our liking and create our own reality of life as we wish to have it.

It takes courage to have absolute faith in our own capabilities, especially since we have been taught to get a degree and then look for a job with benefits, which becomes a crutch on which we depend and lose sight of our real capabilities. No matter what age or profession, the playing field is accessible to us all. We can be in the grandstand and watch or get involved in the action of the play—no matter how we play.

The traditional "system" has led us to believe that we should be just another member of the herd, but every day we are being shown that we can unshackle ourselves and drive our own destiny. Are you ordinary or exceptional? Your choice.