Tames Signature Performance

I discovered recently that the Ukrainian word for win is very similar to the Ukrainian word for play. This got me thinking. Can we improve our lives by trying to win in different aspects of life - not by trying to defeat an opponent but rather to get the most out of each the areas to which we devote time. As we start 2025, where in life would you like to get more out of in 2025?

Often the journey is as important as the destination. We often forget this. For some, when they see others on the pinnacle of success, they don't see all that it takes to get there. For others, we often aren't taking the moments along the way to savour the journey itself, to recognize the little achievements and to feel the pride and joy that comes with them.

Often people dwell on their past and let it define their future. Yes, there are lessons that can be learned, and yes for many there were barriers in life that slowed them down or even stopped them from achieving success. Successful people focus on the now and the future. What can I do today to achieve what I want tomorrow? What will I do to overcome the barriers that are in my way?

Having a purpose in life makes "it all" worth it - whatever "it all" may be. Do you know what your purpose is? You might ask yourself these questions: How big is the world you would like to impact? Maybe it is just your family. Maybe it is your community, the country, the world. Size doesn't matter - as long as it involves someone other than you. What are your strengths? There are things within you that you bring to the table - using these things to their fullest will bring you fulfillment. Finally, in what way can you bring the strengths identified in question 2, to benefit "your world". And that is your purpose...

A lot of people make sacrifices for other people and causes. Sometimes this is driven by a sense of duty driven a feeling of obligation. In these situations we feel "we have to do this." If we find ourselves in situations where we are making sacrifices for a noble cause, our motivation is achievement of vision of this noble cause. We are drawn to it. Our feelings are on "the prize" and not the price of admission.

Sometimes we hold off making a decision until we have all the information necessary to make the perfect decision. But often we will never have ALL the information and circumstances will change and we will have to adjust. A decision, and the action that follows, is what starts all that we make happen in life. What decisions are you waiting to make?

I have a very good memory. That being said, I do try very hard to "forget" those things that others have done - intentionally or unintentionally - through words or actions that may have harmed me. I may remember enough to make sure I take steps to make sure it never happens again but not enough to hold a grudge.

I think any way that we can develop wisdom is a worthy path. Our own experiences often provide valuable lessons. One added benefit they bring is that we remember the emotions of the experience which can be harnessed to create success in the future. I believe in drawing on the strengths around us and in many cases that can be through learning from the actions of others. Finally, taking time to reflect creates very powerful learnings from within. I find this is a great time of year to take time to reflect on the year that was and to look forward to the year ahead.

I think we overuse the words "need to" and "have to". While we "need to" eat, we don't "have to" eat carrot cake. It is important to separate "need to" and "want to". They come from different places of motivation. The feeling associated with each are very different - need to can create a negative emotion while want to creates positive emotion. When we find ourselves talking "need to" if we can reframe it to "want to" we can shift a negative to a positive.

It is a fine line between thinking and overthinking. There is value in anticipating a variety of scenarios and protecting yourself from negative outcomes. But at some point, this may become overthinking. If our thinking is along the line of "If this bad thing happens, and then this happens, followed by two more bad things happen" we get all tied up in knots. If it ever seems like "dwelling" or the thinking leads to inaction, it probably is "overthinking."