Evolve or Repeat? YOU Get to Choose

(First appeared in WRAL Techwire.)

Lately it feels like our dreams and goals are getting sidelined by the headlines. We’ve been frozen in a game of COVID freeze tag…Omicron freeze tag…pick-the-next-variant freeze tag for almost two years. I can’t turn around without someone telling me how I should feel based on the breaking news of the moment. Collectively we’ve been holding our breath for the “other” shoe to drop; meanwhile, while we turn blue…time is ticking away.

Today, I want to remind you that you have a choice to grow and evolve. You can forge ahead and design a year that feeds your soul, challenges your intellect and taps the shoulder of your curiosity…OR you can simply repeat.

Last Saturday, I hosted our second annual Reinvention Summit. Women (and a few good men) from across the country tuned in to kick off 2022 and get serious about what’s next. To recap, I wanted to share a few key takeaways that might help you get unstuck or keep your mojo going into this new year.

First – Try optimism on for size.

Folks, we’ve normalized Eeyore! True optimism is hard to find these days but when we see it, we love it. Don’t we? It’s beautiful to be around people who give off joy, positivity and light!

Are you a light? Do you say positive, bright and hopeful things to other people?

If you’re going to grow this year and get your dream off the ground or over the finish line…you need to start here. The next time you’re in a meeting (in person or virtual) try being the happiest person there. When you realize that YOU can actually shift energy – it’s a game changer.

Next – Who’s your “Wendy”?

I’m just jumping on the Billions bandwagon, the TV series on Showtime that focuses on obscene wealth, greed and ruthlessness. Now, despite the lack of moral compass, I love this show. And one of the reasons is because of Wendy. She’s the confidant to both rival characters. And what strikes about this relationship dynamic is that no matter how successful, brilliant and cunning these  people are, they still have to have a Wendy to talk things through. She’s their conscience, a sounding board and a cheerleader. We all need that. We all need a Wendy to remind us that we’re an unstoppable force, that we’re fierce and didn’t get to where we are today by accident.

Who’s your Wendy?

 Finally, your life will follow the dominant energy of your thoughts.

Amy Hilliard, author of Pivot for Success reminds us that our thoughts and intentions are powerful. Intellectually we know this but few truly believe it. Maybe it’s too ‘woo-woo’ for some or seems like too much work for others. But for the few that practice it, they tie their happiness, fulfillment and success directly to it. Will Smith, Jim Carrey, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey, Adam Grant and yes, even me, a small town Midwestern girl all attribute our happiness and success to our mindset.

So friends, what’s it gonna be? Are you going to EVOLVE, or simply repeat the past.

Luckily, the choice is yours.