Time to reflect !!

Being that it’s the last post of 2012, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on something.  I have seen other great bloggers make lists, reissue great old posts from the year and make resolutions.

I wanted to try something different.  I want to make an “intention” for 2013 !!

What’s an intention?  It’s different than a resolution because most of them are derived at by looking at some significant “gap” in our lives and then resolving to radically alter ourselves and our behavior to attain our ideal.  More often than not – they fail.

An intention is a commitment to be intentional in a way that builds on who you already are and incrementally moves you forward.  It honestly can be in whatever area of life you wish to try – faith, discipline, relationships, etc.

For my 2013 Intention, I plan to practice more and more “others focus.”  It’s pretty simple, I want to focus on others and help them succeed !!

We are surrounded by people who grew up being fiercely independent and willing to go to almost any length to personally succeed in spite of others.  We continue to reward this in organizations and encourage it in others.  Ironically, the newest generation entering the workplace rapidly doesn’t get this.

The current generations belittle the newest generation because that’s what’s been done for centuries !!  We think that ours is better than the next.  That ours works harder, is more loyal, etc.  Honestly, each generation is amazing in its own right.

I’m fortunate to have two great kids, a freshman in college and a sophomore in high school.  They’re teaching me the value of “interdependedness.”  They rely on others to a fault.  Socially, interpersonally, professionally, academically.  There isn’t an area where they aren’t connected to someone.  They want personal success, but they want others to succeed as well.

I dig that.  I have tried to be someone who puts others first.  This runs contrary to most I encounter and it usually results in some awkward looks and/or conversations.  I want to continue to build on this and make others around me develop, grow and burst into greatness !!  You may think this is to idealistic, but why should people have to settle in order to make others happy?  It’s my “intention” and not yours.  There’s no reason to settle.

So, where are you going to reflect this year going into 2013?  What will you see when you look in the mirror?  Where can you be more intentional?

I know that by making others better, they, in turn, will make me better.  That rocks and I can’t wait to see what happens !!  Happy New Year everyone !!