What’s next?

Do you ever find yourself asking that question– What’s next? For me, for my family, for my kids, for my life, for my career… the list goes on and on. Max, my son, just finished his junior year of basketball and is looking forward to next year with hope and fears. He is 17, one of the younger ones for his grade. He is the tallest person in his school. He is driven to improve himself all the time. He works-out every day to get stronger; he shoots and dribbles the ball to get better ball-handling skills. He is afraid he won’t be good enough when the cut comes next year. He’s afraid he’ll stop growing. In the last year and half he’s grown 4 ½” and been in pain most of the time. At 6’10” he wears a size 18 shoe and now needs a 40” inseam.

Last night we had a conversation about the things he can control and the things he can’t. There isn’t much he can do about his height but eat nutritious food, get plenty of sleep, and have tall parents. I told him to let that stress go. Then we looked at his age. Again not much we can do. What he can control is his improvement on the floor with the basketball. That is what he needs to focus on ball-handling, confidence to score, foot work, blocking out, etc.

The same is true for you and your goals. It can be a letdown when you finally reach them because it just happens. You work so hard for something. Maybe it takes you years to accomplish a goal you’ve set for yourself or your business. Then all of a sudden it happens. It is so exciting and earth shattering, then the next minute comes and it has passed and you’re looking for the next journey.

I challenge you to spend some time in the celebration phase of goal achievement. Pause and really enjoy it. Spend time reflecting on what it took to get there. Go over the lessons you learned and the changes you would make if you did it again. Remember the times you wanted to give up but didn’t. Think about the awe-inspiring people that helped you along the way. The incredible things that fell into place, finally.

I don’t know how much time you should spend, I just know that most driven people don’t spend enough. Take some time today to celebrate your wins of the past week. I know you have some. Human beings run on hope. It is their fuel, their power, their purpose. With it you can reach the moon and beyond. When you run from one thing to the next, you can get lost and forget what you’re running to. Take time today to focus on your reasons for doing what you’re doing. Ask yourself if you are living life to its fullest. Are you getting everything you need and want? Are you proud of where you are? Good, I’m proud of you also.

This is not a time to beat up yourself; this is a time to celebrate. This is a time to feel tremendous pride in the things you have accomplished. It doesn’t matter what they are, just that they matter to you. Find your fuel, your power, and your purpose and revel in it. Take a moment to be inspired by yourself and all the spectacular things you have done. You are a phenomenal person, and I’m glad to be sharing this time and space with you. Thank you for being you and sharing yourself with others.

Until next time,