At the beginning of each year, I look back on the previous year to see what worked, what didn’t, and what I can take from all of my experiences to make the most of the present. This process helps to hold me accountable so that I can more fully show up in my life and business.
I’m noticing a theme how each year I learn a little bit less in my head and embody a bit more in my heart. And whoa is this a whirlwind!
Sending you infinite gratitude for following me along the ups and the downs – and everything in-between.
Here are my words for the past seven years:
2011: Creativity, Connection, Mindfulness.
2012: Mindfulness, Spontaneity, Simplicity.
2013: Build. Track. Focus.
2014: Free. Alive. Expand (along with the 10 things I learned in 2014).
2015: Grace.
2016: 8 Things I learned in 2016
2017: Rebirth (along with 6 Things I Learned in 2017).
2018: Curiosity and Efficiency
The hidden tension between these words is intentional: Curiosity (Expansive) and Efficiency (Restrictive).
Here’s how I applied Curiosity and Efficiency to 2018:
1. Ideas lead to success.
I invested a lot of time and energy into intellectual curiosity this year. I read fifty books – about one book per week (new post about these books coming soon!) These books have introduced me to new thoughts, ideas and perceptions that were not possible. I’m applying what I’ve read into the core of my business in 2019.
With that in mind, I do realize that the path to true self-actualization is not just knowing in the mind – but with embodying a new way of existing in the world. Ideas lead to success – but only when we can get out of our heads and into our hearts.
2. The Universe has a sense of humor
This year was all about Embodiment. And for embodiment to happen, I often talk about the importance of “alignment” in your work…
But I never in a million years would have expected it to show up in the form of physical alignment.
I unexpectedly had to start seeing a chiropractor for the first time in my life (after experiencing excruciating pain in my neck). I needed to take a break from working out to recalibrate. The former me would have freaked out about not working out. The new me surrenders…
The good news is that my chiropractor turns out to be an energy healer in many ways. I spent the last part of 2018 in a deep reset mode, recalibrating and healing. And now that I’m able to work out again, I can integrate new energies from a higher octave – and in an entirely new way than I ever thought possible.
3. I’m feeling into what it’s like to live life like it’s art.
Carrie Fisher famously said
I don’t want my life to imitate art, I want my life to be art.”
I’m here to create the next paradigm of marketing through artistic self-expression and true liberation.
And sometimes the only way into the next paradigm is throwing yourself off into the unknown.
I went camping for the first time in my life in 2018. I (barely) survived six days off-the-grid, tapped into the magic of the desert, received Divine wisdom from the Navajos and met amazing new friends. This is the tent where I stayed.
I truly believe that we are on this Earth to feel – not numb out. And in this new paradigm reality is our “television.”
I dove deep into reality through new and old tools that have helped me to integrate: meditation, EFT, and yoga – and learned how to create from this Embodied place (which I’ll share with you soon!)
It’s pretty incredible that almost every aspect of our lives gets shaped by the relationship we have with ourselves – and with others. When we can become honest with who we are in these relationships, life gets easier (even if the Truth gets harder).
I took an Embodiment workshop with one of my favorite authors and teachers, Philip Shepherd. I also had the honor and pleasure to meet many of my podcast guests in-real-life and build true friendships with people who have inspired me from afar. These experiences, workshops and friendships have allowed me to truly show up in the world.
4. Travel allows me to Be
I traveled to three different countries: Costa Rica, France and Portugal.
I fell in love with Lisbon…
I explored my beautiful state of California and traveled to Catalina, Santa Barbara, Ojai,
Laguna Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles (with a special end-of-year visit to the Last Bookstore!) I also visited San Francisco many times, along with San Diego.
5. Minimalism is an act of self-care
An ongoing theme throughout my work is that minimalism is an act of self-care. I published this article in Thought Catalog: Five Incredible Benefits of Practicing Minimalism.
I also more openly discussed why Minimalism Taught Me to Stop Speaking. I took two seemingly random topics (minimalism and the speaking industry) and used it as a post of reflection and Truth.
Minimalism tells me that it’s ok to have a loud mind that “speaks” in silence. And that I don’t need a calendar full of speaking gigs to prove my worth.
Marketing today is less pushing your message loudly and more pulling in an audience quietly.
Eliminating what’s not working is everything.
6. Podcasting is the platform for the counterculture
One of the reasons why I love podcasting so much is that it’s not being controlled by algorithms or large media corporations (just yet). This, the art of humanity, it’s a thread to unite our awareness and understanding today. I believe that we will look back in time to see podcasting as one of the greatest threads of our counterculture.
I published Season 4 of my podcast (with 14 episodes). And I believe that podcasts are the path to true leadership today.
7. Facts are accumulated by effort, but truth reveals itself effortlessly.
This wisdom is gleaned from one of my favorite books of 2018: Power vs. Force by Doctor David Hawkins.
I share more about the necessity for Truth and poetry in my podcast episode 41.
8. Hustling is a form of hiding
This Truth was shared by one of my mentors, Seth Godin in Episode 40 of the Art of Humanity.
I truly believe we need recalibration and realignment of what “success” means today. And hustling is a form of hiding because many of those hustlers are not actually creating meaningful work in the world. They’re using the hustle as a way to hide, and I don’t condone this lifestyle.
I think deep down we’re all craving more meaning and purpose. And Seth describes the softer side of marketing and culture…it’s the alignment instead of the hustle…and it’s so needed today.
9. Consciousness is the modern day Oz.
Consciousness is a constant journey and evolution can be challenging. But if you continue to follow the yellow brick road, you’ll realize that it’s not the destination itself. But rather exploring the beautiful dichotomy between being and becoming: (I write more about this here).
10. Blockchain is the new Beatnik
The Blockchain is decentralized and it’s built off of real, human relationships. I wrote a guest post for White Rabbit about the new opportunity in the collaborative economy – and shared my experience with blockchain which began with Bitcoin back in 2012.
The Beat Generation was a group of writers interested in changing consciousness and defying conventional writing. They used writing for self-expression and may have had a reputation as bohemian hedonists. But they celebrated non-conformity and spontaneous creativity.
Meaning and purpose allow us to embody a more conscious existence that brings introspection and imagination into our work, which eventually will illuminate the path to our own successhuman hum
11. Poetry is the portal to the next paradigm
Language is our first technology. It’s how we can step into the mind of another human to explore his/her consciousness. This creates a communal space where thoughts become things. And then, it’s from this place that we realize that marketing is no longer what we do – it’s who we are.
Songs can be incredibly prophetic, like subconscious warnings or messages to myself, but I often don’t know what I’m trying to say till years later. Or a prediction comes true and I couldn’t do anything to stop it, so it seems like a kind of useless magic.” – Florence Welch
The new world that we’re co-creating means that we need to embody passion and exist on love. This paradigm is not about logic and reason because it’s a world bigger than our mind-based egos. It’s a world that’s filled with the beauty and magic that becomes possible when we live in the experience of the heart through awareness, intuition, and Embodiment.
When poetry is used as a portal, we elevate human consciousness and give rise to a new paradigm where serendipity and content collide. Writers and artists are creating a new world where we can deliver new ways of thinking that are far from the status quo.
I’m meditating on my word for this year. It usually takes an extra week or two – or sometimes to download.
I hope your 2019 is off to a magical year of connection, creativity and meaning!
