Thank You 2020-You Taught Me A Lot!

I am thankful for 2020 ??.  Yea, I said it. Not for the virus, people dying, or people losing their jobs/businesses. But I really am thankful for 2020, as it challenged me in new ways. It has made me more creative, have more grit, and made me stronger (both personally and professionally) for years to come. I have accomplished and done things this year that if you told me in 2019 I would do, I would have ignorantly laughed in your face. 

I will be better because of 2020.

Things I’ve learned and will take with me for years to come:

?? Be more in the Present. 

Savor the moments, both good and bad ones. I’ve been reading Matthew McConaughey’s book “Greenlights” and it speaks a lot to this. How to turn those red lights to green and why we should actually stop and notice the green lights. This year to most of us had some major red lights… and that could stop you dead in your tracks/end your dreams, unless you find that silver lining, learn the whys, and allow it to make you better. But did you cherish your green lights? There WAS good in 2020. This is number one on my list for a reason, I'm not good at it. I want to get the win and go to the next. Or take the hit on the chin and hop back up with brute force. Call it the athlete in me or the Veteran in me, but in life and in business I need to learn to cherish the win, acknowledge the good, evaluate the loss, feel the feelings of life - both good and bad.

?? Be more Patient. 

This definitely complements being more in the present. Don’t rush life, it’s too short and precious. How many times have you cursed at a red light (or the 2nd or 3rd one in a row)?  Or lost out on a deal or failed at work (the "red lights" of life)? Those moments don’t have to be negatives or failures, use them to regroup, take in the current information, breathe, take time to meditate/exercise, and take the time to learn… be patient with life! 

Not surprising the Alabama song, 'I'm in a Hurry (And Don't Know Why)' pops in my head - "I'm in a hurry to get things done. Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun. All I really gotta do is live and die. But I'm in a hurry and don't know why."

?? Know your Vision.

Be thoughtful in your planning / setting your goals, but don’t be afraid to deviate. Things happen, “red lights” stop you momentarily, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go back to the drawing board to figure out how to get back on track… hell you may even achieve a greater success. But you have to know where you're headed and not lose sight of that!

I'd also say your personal goals and professional goals need to align. During this year, my amazing wife and I have sat literally feet apart (close enough that she is an easy target with a spit ball) working 8 - 18 hour days, just about everyday. But we also learned together and grew together too, b/c we got to truly see what each other are passionate about in our professional lives on a day-to-day basis... and we've used this information to mold our professional visions with our personal visions and values. We truly know where we are, where we want to be, and are working together everyday to ensure we get there. To me this is a priceless thing of 2020! (I'm not saying she doesn't want to kill me sometimes or that my typing doesn't annoy her or I can't hear her turn on her Spotify to drown me out ??)

?? Go Get It! 

Being thoughtful about your planning doesn’t mean you’re not going to use grit, not go after it, and not take risk/chances. Attack your dreams! Elon Musk has said take those long term (5 – 10-year goals) and try to accomplish them in 6 months. Yea you’re going to have some failures with that pace, but I damn sure know you will also learn a helluva lot! Be brave and do not be afraid to execute your vision and mission!

?? Be Understanding. 

Understand what you know, but also what you do not. You don’t know what the person next to you or on the phone/online with you is going through in their day or life. Today might not be their day and it might not be yours. Understand that.

You will have to learn along the way - about people, processes, business, and life.  Understand you almost always have another chance (unless you burn the bridge or are short-sighted).  Understand your plan, your goals, and your vision... then execute! Most importantly (as most close to me have heard me preach for many years now) understand YOU. Your Values. What makes you tick!

?? This last piece ties all these lessons together ??

Understand the moment you’re in and relish it. Understand that a “red light" or a "failure” may be the universe telling you something, take time to listen to it and evaluate it.  Understand your vision, so you can plan and execute your success! Understand it takes failure, grit, and risk! Understand YOU! But also understand you and the world is always changing, so constant learning and reevaluation is key!

?? I hope you all have a very Happy New Year. I hope you can reflect on your 2020 to make your 2021 and beyond the best years of your life. Much love to you all!! ??