Happy New Year!
Now that the first week of the year has passed, many of us are settling into routines, some of those routines are new, and some of them are the same old same old. I know for me, I made some decisions before the holidays on how I wanted to do some things differently in 2016, both personally and professionally. I don’t really believe in setting resolutions, but I do as a practice always take some intentional time at the end of the year to review what I liked, what was successful, to see if I am still on purpose or have I veered off, and what I would like to do differently the next year.
And then, after making my plans, in the last two weeks of the year, I learned of the passing of 2 amazing people, one was a teacher of mine from a few years ago, the other an equestrian friend of mine. Both too young, both too sudden.
The last time I saw my friend was a few weeks ago before his family holiday, and he had come to the equestrian centre where I board my horse Chip. As I was exercising Chip who decided to do something silly (and to me terrifying) and my friend came to the rescue and helped us through it. This meant he ended up working outside in the rain unexpectedly and without rain gear. That is just who he was. He took what was a scary moment, and empowered me through it, making it an awesome experience. I thanked him of course profusely, and still I felt I needed to really let him know how much I appreciated that. And I was going to let him know next time I saw him, and give him a bottle of chardonnay (his favorite).
If I had known at that moment there never would be a next time, I know I would have said a lot more, done a lot more, and taken him to the pub right then and there for a glass (or three) of that Chardonnay.
The reality of the sudden and unexpected passing of both of these amazing men, really led me to some introspective thinking and I wondered how many moments we let pass without seizing just how special they are? Or maybe we miss out on some of life’s special moments because we are so busy with our business, and figure we will do it next time? If we knew it was the last time we would have that moment, how differently would we treat it? Isn’t it the meaning and the moment that is important not the finality of it? Why not celebrate it NOW!!!!!
If you have something to say, say it! If you appreciate someone tell them! If you want to drink the expensive champagne do it! Tomorrow is never promised, don’t let those moments with others and for you pass you by. Do what matters most to you because in the end, that’s all that matters.
A great year truly isn’t made by a huge accomplishment, or major milestones, though they can be part of it. I know when I have accomplished great things in the past – the accomplishment was really a completion, and the memories of those small moments along the way are what I cherished the most. A great year, really is the sum of a series of great days.
I re-visited my intentions for 2016. I had set intentions for a great year. Just like I have always done. But something was missing. I decided to make a subtle, yet very significant shift – I asked myself how I could make each day “the best day ever”. And do to do that, what changes do I need to make in my intentions and goals? I’d like to ask you to consider the same question.
It starts with really getting aligned and in tune to your purpose, so that you can become crystal clear on your priorities. Priorities can so easily get shifted when we are caught up in the day to day, and this was a stark reminder to me to refocus. I then took my Income Acceleration Program participants through an exercise to guide them through this, as I felt it was so important and a great way to start the year – and it really opened up a lot of awareness for them, and with awareness comes changes.
I named my company “Living Forward Business & Lifestyles” because I believe that we always need to be in forward motion, and that by doing so we can create the exact life we desire, and that we can build a business that provides us with the time, money and freedom to make it happen. And that is exactly what I help my clients to create. And now it has even deeper meaning to me, and that is by being in forward motion we can create EACH DAY the way we desire, by building a business that provides us with the time, money and freedom we desire.
I had a good look at my business and life, and while I do think it’s pretty awesome, and that overall, I am living and modelling what I believe – I will in full transparency, say “no, it’s not perfect, there is definitely room for improvement. I have let special moments pass, or worked too much on some days, or skipped things thinking ‘oh next time’ or let things that really don’t matter trip me up”
And so now every day I ask myself “What do I need to do today, to make it the best day ever?” and I use that to guide my thoughts, decisions and actions both personally and for my business. And I’m slowing down to really take in and enjoy those things that I find meaningful.
No, that doesn’t mean I’m slowing down my business, nor should you. What it means is that if I miss what’s important to my life for the sake of my business, then I am serving my business, and not the other way around. It means I’m taking actions aligned with purpose and priorities, rather than creating goals for their own sake. Like you I chose to become an entrepreneur because I wanted to do meaningful work, and because I wanted to have control over my income and more importantly, MY TIME.
You can create a business that provides you with the time, money, wealth and freedom to create each day as you desire. And to do that you need to be aligned with your purpose, clear on your why, and know exactly what your ideal day looks like each day, and ensure that is central to your life and priority.
You can expect to see a lot more of that message and meaning from me this year. As I truly would love to help you make each day, the best day ever.
Wishing you an amazing 2016 & beyond, full of your ideal days.
And to my friend, as I leave now to say goodbye to you, I also want to thank you for the lesson, thank you for your help that day, and all the other days. Thank you for turning a scary moment into one of the “best days ever”, thank you for giving Chip a beautiful place with lots of grass and pasture to spend his summers for so many years. I’m not ready to see you leave, but I know you would just want us all to “get on with it”. I will have a glass of Chardonnay for you this weekend. May you rest in peace, you are gone too soon, never will be forgotten and are missed by many.
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