6 Things I Learned (or relearned) in 2020
6 things I learned (or relearned) in 2020
#1. Contribute:
Tom Rath answered my long-nagging concerns about self-indulgent-passion-following by focusing on contributing.
The question is how to use your talent to make the greatest contribution.
The pursuit of happiness is like chasing the horizon.
Pursue meaning if you want happiness.
#2. Bring others in:
I sought more advice this year than ever before.
Arrogance bristles and resists when receiving advice. Humility opens its heart to the possibility that others might be right.
Humility expands leadership because it allows you to try suggestions others make.
#3. Relationships:
Relationships matter more than you think.
Strong relationships are foundations for great results.
Develop and strengthen relationships if you expect to achieve great results.
#4. Stories:
We use negative stories about others to justify self-serving behaviors. People judge you by the stories they tell themselves about your motives and actions.
You can sincerely serve the best interest of others and get kicked in the teeth.
All the stories we tell ourselves about others are only partially true.
#5. Stockdale principle:
Focus on what you can do today. You never know when difficulty or adversity will end.
Perhaps you thought COVID-19 would be over in a month or two.
Admiral Stockdale, the highest-ranking POW of the Vietnam war, explains the danger of optimism.
“The optimists. … died of broken heart[s].”
Stockdale said, “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”
#6. Gratitude:
Gratitude expressed is energy received.
Small sincere expressions of gratitude energize both the receiver and the giver of gratitude.
A small notepad on the corner of my desk reminds me to record one expression of gratitude every morning.
What did you learn (or relearn) in 2020?
Which of the above ideas seems most useful to you today?
What did you learn (or relearn) in 2020? Don’t overthink things, you will go insane. Just think it out, develop a plan and finish the project. We can only reinvent the wheel so many times.
Which of the above ideas seems most useful to you today? #6 Gratitude goes a long way no matter how big or small. Being sincere when you share gratitude with others its a heartfelt moment..
Thanks Tim. Overthinking is paralysis. Thinking is good, especially when it’s followed by action. 🙂
thank you for your transparency and leadership – blessing Dan
Thank you sir. Happy New Year.
Dear Dan,
2020 has been a tough year for everyone across the globe facing the Covid-19 pandemic! Lot of learnings on personal and professional fronts. Many of us have realized the importance of family and protecting health of everyone. WFH has turned out to be the only solution to run business operations using the best of technology. Online classes, webinars and net based workshops have become the part of our daily life.
All our plans and aspirations of 2020 got distorted and we realized that nothing is in our hands! We moved towards self-realization and spirituality in this difficult time.
Liked the learning of expressing Gratitude! We are indeed thankful to the Almighty for saving our lives and suffering in a scary situation during lockdowns/un-lockdowns during the unforgettable year. We should not forget the immense contribution of doctors and para-medical staff saving millions of lives putting their lives in danger.
Thank you Dr. Asher. Yes. We all learned or relearned how important relationships are. When we’re busy and things are going well we might forget the value of connecting with people.
Focus on what I can do and not what I can’t do.
Happy New Year! 21 will be better!
Thank you Paul. Life is so much more positive when we focus on things within our control. Happy New Year!
Thanks for an excellent post which should drive Positivity into our lives and we move over to 2021 after a tough 2020
Thank you Sampathkumar. Your comment spreads positivity. Happy New Year.
Bring it in…I too reached out more than ever..
Thanks Sheila. Love your aggressive posture!
This is so terrific!
Thanks Ron and Happy New Year.
love the idea of focusing on greatest contribution, not passion. Great food for thought.
Thanks Jones. It seems to help us rise above self-serving to other-serving.
Thank you Dan, for your relevant, uplifting and realistic posts this year. I loved the site prior to 2020 but felt like some days it was a real lifeline this year…..Talk about gratitude! Here’s to staying present and in the moment in 2021!
Thank you Colleen. You are so kind. I think I’m the one who gets the most out of writing Leadership Freak. Happy New Year!
The question is how to use your talent to make the greatest contribution. I find if I do my chosen job the best I can with kindness, thoroughness and in a quality manner I am contributing to others and ultimately myself. But my main contributions are first to my God, Secondly to my family and then myself. All those aspirations are tied together and I often come up short but then again only one man was ever perfect and I am certainly not. Last week my son and I went to visit a local Christmas Light display at a Church friends home, he always wins the local contest and he went over the top this time. But the story he told of a neighbor was what really mattered. He indicated one night he came out to greet viewers and a neighbor in her 90s was staring at the display sobbing having a breakdown. Jim went over to her and asked what was going on. She said she had been isolated at home all of 2020 with no local family and this year had gotten to her. She indicated when she walked by and saw the display (dancing Santa and snowman included with music) the joy she had not had for a while just leaped out of her heart and she felt better again. All was suddenly good and better. Maybe that’s all we need to have our contributions to bring “Joy” to someone in however little or big way. 2020 the Year “Joy” was hard to find but seen one December Night on a Street in Arcadia, California.
What a great story! Thank you for sharing it Roger. I story like that makes me want to keep going. We never know who we might encourage along the way. Happy New Year
Happy New Year, Dan! I learned a few things this year that I noted moving into 2021: Don’t take anything for granted as you never know when it will be gone – this includes people, places, and things. Kindness is key to all relationships, whether they be with friends or strangers. Finally, I learned that you really have to love yourself in order to love others and to be there for them. My losses and experiences this past year have made me stronger as I look to the future.
Thanks Lisa. What a powerful comment. A year that helps us grow and reach higher is never wasted. The word kindness jumps out to me. And to combine the idea of kindness with self-love, learn to be kind to yourself, especially when you’re doing hard things. Cheers.