You are a gift. Every day people have the power to touch lives of those around them. Whether it is in a hug between parent and child, the smile from the barista at the coffee shop, volunteers giving out food to the needy, or someone holding the elevator door – we all form parts of this tapestry of life, we all hold gifts in our every day presence. Gifts we can share.
As this holiday season winds down, and we celebrate a new year I reflect on these things recognizing how truly blessed I am to have shared in the lives of so many people over the past year. People who share their gifts every day, and people who put themselves out there making the change in the world around them.
What we do every day has the ability to make someone else’s day.
In business, we speak a lot about customer service. I often wonder if in the day to day service people realize what a difference, what an impact they can make on someones life simply by being present, by caring, by being themselves and by listening. It can be a challenge when day in and day out you do tasks that you perceive as the same. In essence, what I believe we need to do and realize is that every “thing” we do is not about things, or tasks, its about doing something for someone. If you can master that ability in your service practice, then every “task”, every proposal, every project is an opportunity to make someone’s day. Be outstanding. We can apply this in our personal lives, and also in our work lives ~ when we do this, I believe this is truly where we shine.
It is the dawn of the New Year, a new year full of challenges and opportunities. A year that like every other, we will reflect upon 364 days from now to sum up what we have done and where we will be going.
Many people wrote posts about what they plan, how to get there. One of my favorite, and most inspiring “plans” to stay on track came from Jacqueline Carly, with her #12in12. A great way to take on several accomplishments one step at a time.
Personally, I have many goals for 2012, like making sure to focus on balance. Integrating Social Media into my organization, and focusing on being a good leader for my team by developing our talent and providing inspiration and opportunity. Finally, one of the most exciting plans I have as this year sets out, is planning and realizing the “State of Now” (#140conf) Montreal for this upcoming May.
One day at a time, one step at a time this year will pass before us and it will be full of surprises. We may end up exactly where we thought we were going, or we may take a new turn and find ourselves somewhere completely different or new.
One thing is certain, regardless of how we get to where we are going, the people around us will inspire us to move forward, will help us when times are tough, will laugh with us, and will form our worlds, our 2012 experience.
We must be those people to each other, in business, in friendship, in family, in life. I am grateful to all of you for being a part of mine. Cheers to you and the dawn of a New Year, one with endless possibilities before us, a chance to “dream big” & shine.
So, what are your plans for 2012…How will you shine this year?
Nice post, Mila… inspirational and I love the photos! I’m hoping I can achieve the goals I have set for myself in 2012. Cheers to YOU, and I hope our paths cross IRL again soon. All the best, Susan.
@susanborstsusanborst Thank you Susan 🙂 I took a couple of those (the sunrise photos) as I traveled around this year to various conferences, and the forest photo was actually on a hike on Oahu – when I lived there. Nature can be so stunning and inspiring – it just always reminds me there is so much out there, and so much that we can do! I was so happy we finally met IRL this year, knowing you, you will no doubt be accomplishing *everything* you set out to do and more! So glad to be along on the ride to watch you succeed 🙂
@Milaspage@susanborstsusanborst Mila, You lived in Oahu…how did you ever leave? Thanks for the insipiration. I’d love to chat with you about how you are integrating social into your organization some time and hopefully chat IRL sooner rather than later 🙂
@BethGrangerSayssusanborstbeth jacobs granger Looking forward to it Beth! Its been so interesting to see the positive results from bringing social tools into my team at work, increased communication and team building, as well as efficiency in communication – the feedback as been great, I would love to discuss. I always enjoy exploring all these new tools in our chats (#otable #usguys) our collaborations mean so much to me! Heres to a new year ahead and to IRL meetups to come – very much looking forward to it! Big hugs~ josepf solete mediasres abovethestatic deep soni 67tallchris cynthiaschames marcymassura sherree worrell ricdragon
I love this post! I am so happy you visited me so that I could discover YOU! My New Year’s resolutions are the same as they are for every day. Be the best you can be in every moment. Make this world a better place in any way you can. We all have the power to make a difference. To move people. To let them know they matter. #Youmatter, Mila. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post. May 2012 bring you many blessings – much joy, laughter, love, peace and success.
@letmemoveyou It was a true stroke of luck, and so happy to meet you 🙂 As I mentioned on your post, you are definitely shining into this new year! I truly love how you put your post together a great read and great positive people to follow>> http://letmemoveyou.me/the-sunshine-awards very inspiring. This is definitely THE goal, live EVERY DAY as if it was the first day of the new year: full of hope, intention, positivity, gratitude and positive actions. So great to meet you, thank you for stopping by to comment and all your kind wishes! Cheers to 2012! #youmatter #gratitude 🙂
I wish you a great new year Milla
i hope that we all can make our wishes true in 2012 🙂
@2knowmyself Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, and for your kind wishes! Wishing you all the best for the new year ahead! It is definitely a journey, one I hope we all enjoy well into the year ahead 🙂
[…] Read it yourself, share it with your colleagues, give it to your teenager – start the change – and as I suggested in my New Year’s post for 2012 from here on forward: Be outstanding. […]