Tommy Lasorda is a baseball legend.  He spent 21 years managing the Dodgers winning 2 World Series titles in 4 appearances.  But what many don't know is that Tommy's original dream was to become the best pitcher in Major League Baseball.  He made it to the majors but in 3 seasons he was 0-4 as a starter with a 6.4 ERA.  But despite not making it big as a pro baseball player one of Tommy's greatest moments was being on the mound pitching against the great Yogi Berra.  It was because he dreamt of that moment all his life.  He believed in his dream so much that it actually became a reality.  

Whatever it is that you want in your life you have to believe.  Check out this short video of Tommy Lasorda talking about why you've got to believe and have self-confidence in order to succeed.   

​RIP Tommy Lasorda. 

Ringing in the new year is when most of us hit the re-set button and start thinking about how the upcoming year will be the best year yet!  Thoughts of washboard abs, traveling the world, getting a new promotion, or taking other significant steps in our lives swirl around our brains.  But often times these thoughts never have any strategy put behind them and just remain... thoughts... with no action. 

If you're looking for a new way to attack your goals this year and make your thoughts a reality I suggest putting together a vision board.  Check out my 2021 vision board above.

There are several ways you go about it so make it your own.  I used Word to create mine.  I've done this exercise with some of my employees over the years and I've seen all kind of creative ways to put these together: Power Point presentation, clip art from magazines, etc. 

Whatever way you plan your goals it's important to understand the why behind having a vision.  It is scientifically proven that if you acknowledge what you want in your life, write it down, and share it with the world you’re 42% more likely to achieve those goals.   By taking the thoughts in your mind and putting them to paper you connect the left and right side of your brain, the logical and the creative parts of your noggin.   That powerful connection creates action.

Be bold in 2021 and don't let the the past hold you back.  Share what it is that you want in life and let your vision turn into reality. 

Check out the below video of Oprah and Steve Harvey talking about how they use vision boards ... 

The first law of human energy is that energy follows attention.  Read that one more time... the first law of human energy is that energy follows attention.   When you give less attention to a person, place, or thing it receives less energy.   When you give more attention to a person, place, or thing it receives more energy.   Duh, right?

If you are in a rut and are looking for a way to change your energy to something more positive, try starting a Joy List.   Dr. Greg Nielsen suggests that by creating a list of things you enjoy you can help focus your attention on things that make you happy.  Remember, energy follows attention.

Try this…

Write down all the things you enjoy or that make you feel good.  Golf, exercise, time with friends, writing, reading, etc.  Now look at your daily schedule.   How can you start fitting these things into your daily routine?   In what ways can you add the things you enjoy into your work life?  For instance, if you enjoy writing how can you write more for your company 😊.  Proposals?  Email blasts?  Corporate communication?

By refocusing your energy on the things, you enjoy you will ultimately be more fulfilled because… energy follows attention.

Look at the picture above… Where are you spending your time?  Can you add more of the things you enjoy into the equation?

Discovering your purpose is not an easy task.   Most will spend a lifetime searching and some not at all.   With the pandemic inching closer to it's first birthday here in America I urge you to spend time thinking about the above diagram.   What are the things that you love?  What are the things that you are great at?   Are you spending time on those things?   If you're not re-evaluate how you can insert the things you love and the things you're great at into your daily routine either at home or at work...  Start by creating your own Purpose Chart.  If you need help watch this short video for inspiration. 

Doing something creative is one of the best ways to fully engage your mind, body and soul.  In fact, engaging your left brain (analytical side) and your right brain (creative side) enhances your memory, increases your happiness, and boosts your immune system!

Many people have a fear associated with creativity.   "I can't sing."  "I can't dance."  "I'm not creative!!!"

But why are you afraid?  Some of the greatest ideas have been developed in a wild state of creativity and thinking outside the box.  

The Greeks and Romans idolized creatives and believed that creativity came from the divine.    In fact the Romans called creativity GENIUS.  But they didn't think of genius in the way that we think of it today.   It wasn't called, "being a genius,"  it was called HAVING genius.   They believed that the creativity that made an epic performance was divine.  That you were truly visited by genius. 

So have some genius in your life and invite creativity into your life.  It can help solve complex issues in your life, provide a sense of freedom from the mundane, and ultimately help increase your happiness. 

Van Gogh, one of the most famous artists in history, has been in the news a lot recently.   Someone took a sledgehammer to the window of a museum and stole a painting worth  $6.6 million dollars!!! 

The crazy thing is that out of the thousands of pieces of art Van Gogh created during his lifetime he sold just ONE while he was on this earth.   Crazy to think that one of his most famous paintings is now worth an estimated $150 million alone. 

Van Gogh battled poverty and mental health issues his entire life.  His love for art was what drove him, not the money.   

Try bringing out your inner Van Gogh and do something creative this week.  Write a letter, paint a painting, dance in your living room, or sing a song really loud in the shower. 

While in your creative activity truly savor that moment and be present.  Savoring something allows you to step outside of an experience and genuinely appreciate it.  When you actually savor something you notice the small things that make you happy.   

Now share that experience with someone.  Sharing moments that we truly savor and find happiness in actually make us happier longer.   They also make those who we share things with happier too ... cause sharing is caring!