Putting The Year to Rest

 My son and I were watching Steve Jobs present at Apple Town Hall in 2001. Actually, it was Ashton Kutcher in the opening scene of "Jobs", the year's most remarkable film. At the conclusion of his brief Keynote introduction, Steve Jobs pulled from his pocket a device that he introduced as "the I-pod". I was startled by applause from the 8 year old sitting next to me. He nodded his head and looked over at me with a pride most children would reserve for Santa Claus. How truly amazing, that a group of people could create something so complex and make it easy enough for a child to engage.

Mission Accomplished!

This time of year produces lists of best efforts. We are then bombarded with what to expect in the new year. With egg nog in lap, we reflect on the year past and set resolutions for the year to come. Then we nod off to the glow of the television and forget the lessons we've learned.

Steve Jobs lived an extraordinary life because he was uncompromising in his pursuit of innovation, able to risk past accomplishments to make the future better, and willing to be hated to be great. Seeing what he accomplished dwarfed what I have achieved this year and it inspired me to do more.

What Did You Accomplish This Year That is Truly Remarkable?
Maybe you landed a great new position, perhaps you sold a large deal, maybe you met your sweetheart or brought a child into the world. All positive achievements are important but what would it take to put a dent in the universe?

What did you do this year that changed the world? Is there something you have done that no one else can can do? Is there something you are pursuing that everyone else doubted? Did you take a chance on someone that others did not believe in? Are you willing to keep fighting?

Setting moderate goals would certainly be a means for accumulation of something bigger....but why not Think Big...?

Give People Something to Believe In
I see organizational leaders who have achieved nothing in their lives. They were in the right place at the right time and have ridden it out. They have aligned and protected themselves. There is only one likely conclusion...a retirement party with no one in attendance.

You have to be willing to take chances and to be confident enough in what you believe in to bring others along with you. You have to inspire people to try new things. You have to be willing to disrupt the mundane flow to create a Title Wave.

People want something new. They want someone with the courage to stand up for that which they genuinely believe in.

What are you waiting for?

Resolve To Change The World!!!!
Maybe you want to get more exercise. Maybe you want to learn a foreign language or go back to school. That's all fine and good, but why not shoot for the stars...?

Do Twice as Much
Give Away What You Can Live Without
Hire an Employee With No Experience (and a whole lotta heart)
If You Hate Your Job...Quit!
Create Something Totally Unique
Kiss The Girl in Accounting
Allow No One To Put a Finger In Your Face
Raise Your Hand (and Your Voice)
Believe in the Dreamers
Give People a Project
Find a Dream Worth Pursuing (and dedicate yourself to it)

You've got 29,200 days on earth. Today is as good a day as any other to change your life and change the world!

Don't Forget to Remember!

Dave