The promise of a new year brings with it so many possibilities, doesn't it? It reminds us to set goals, to clarify priorities, to challenge the status quo in our personal and professional life, while also being mindful of the mindset that we choose to embrace.

As leaders, this is a great time of the year to connect with your team, share expectations, and inject new life into your routines. Read on for a few tips on how best to make the most out of this fresh, new year.

Start by looking back. Take some time to review the past year. Reflect on some of the following questions:

What worked?
What didn't?
Was there a system you wanted to try, but never got around to it?
What disciplines did you want to implement into your life that you didn't get a chance to try?
What relationships need to be strengthened?

The transition into the new year is the perfect time to make changes, to set new expectations, and try something new. So do look back, be critical and really honest with yourself around your processes, tasks, and relationships within your personal and professional spheres.

Challenge yourself and your team. When you have had a chance to reflect on the past year, consider what would be a bold, audacious challenge that you can set for yourself and your team for 2021? Remember to focus on all areas of your life: professional, personal, health, learning and growth, business, etc. Your ability to respond with agility during these unprecedented times will require you to continue to develop a mindset that is resolute, composed, dynamic, outgoing and receptive. So, go ahead and tackle that big project that seems so daunting, be bold and pitch an important client, attend a workshop or training that can provide you with new skills. Take the steps that will help you move forward on those bold challenges.

Learn to let go. This one is more important that you may realize. As you reflect on the previous year, don't get hung up on what you may perceive as "failures." I read in Costco Connection the other day that the acronym for FAIL is First Attempts in Learning. Gracefully learn from the past, and use it as a learning tool for the future. Focus forward with clear intentions and a strong vision for the year you'd like to have.

So, how will you challenge yourself or your team this year?

Inspiring You To Thrive,

COACHING QUESTIONS

False. Actually, according to a study by Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University in California, writing down your goals makes you 42% likely to accomplish them. So, get that pen and paper out, ladies and gentlemen!

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

Andy Kim

After the siege of the U.S. Capitol building on January 7, 2021, much of the property and halls of the institution were left strewn with garbage and debris. Officers were assigned the grim duty of cleaning up the mess, but New Jersey State Representative, Andy Kim, said he felt a “heightened, supercharged kind of patriotism” and was stirred to join them.

The son of Korean immigrant parents, Rep. Kim’s credentials are impressive. He’s the first Asian American to represent New Jersey in Congress. He’s also a University of Chicago graduate and Rhodes Scholar who was hand-picked by President Obama to serve on the National Security Council.

Still, he didn't stop to think for one minute that he was above picking up trash on his hands and knees until after 1 o'clock in the morning.

You can have all the titles and accolades in the world, but your leadership will show up in ways like "picking up trash" as others have taken the liberty to disrupt, disturb, and have determined to be lawless in their behavior.

LEADERSHIP RESOURCE

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Sometimes it feels like we have to master everything to be a leader. We have to learn how to manage projects, delegate tasks, and analyze outcomes. Then, there are the leadership lessons that don't always get the most attention such as learning to be empathetic, accountable, and how to embrace vulnerability.

That last word is an especially scary one, but this book, available here, speaks a lot about vulnerability. Have you read it? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts.

PLEASE PROVIDE A REVIEW

If we have worked together, or if you have been at one of my presentations, webinars, or trainings, I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a quick minute to provide a review on either my Google Business page or LinkedIn profile. Your feedback means so much to me. Thank you!

New Facebook Group for Leaders

I invite you to join me and other leaders like yourself in a private Facebook group I've created called Reimagine Leadership. This group is created to serve both men and women, like you, who would like to explore, improve, and learn practical tools and strategies that would up-level your leadership in all areas of your life.

LEADERSHIP ESSENTIALS: