Year end for some people is a time to celebrate achievements – goals attained, obstacles flattened – a new Audi lease.
The winners always seem to have everything go their way – just like senior year in high school (remember?). New high paying jobs, a brand new 3 bedroom loft condo, 13,000 Facebook fans, awards received, yada, yada, yada.
However, for many of my friends 2008 was a complete disaster, causing them to do what any self-respecting person does in the face of adversity: Curl up under a desk and weep.
Now, if you are one of the few who have proudly claimed the spot on the mantle for your winner’s cup, this post is not for you. I do love you and we’ll talk about that love at another time.
This post is for my dear friends who have marched through the shit storm of 2008. This is for the folks who are single-handedly creating value for society with their struggling-but-lively non-profit.
In 2009 you will win. You will be on top.
Why should you win, you ask?
BECAUSE YOU ARE AWESOME!
1. You are awesome because you always put your relationships first.
If you’re one of my friends running a small non-profit, you realize that it’s not about how many facebook fans you have. It’s about how many of those fans will stand up and fight for your cause. And they will stand up because of your personal relationship with them.
If you’re one of my Twitter friends, you’re awesome because you stand up and take action when action needs to be taken – like here, here and here.
2. You are awesome because because you do great work.
If you’re one of my Twitter friends, thanks for writing great posts on hump day, creating the best course on becoming an Authority Blogger, making the best WordPress theme money can buy, and giving us all 56 reasons to have more sex.
3. You are awesome because you do what is right.
You’ve taken the time to write posts that create value for others, knowing that you’ll receive nothing in return. You’ve written about personal struggles and the hopes you have, why we’re all broke and how to fix it, and have even reminding us why we shouldn’t throw monkey turd.
4. Finally, you are awesome because you are you!
You have already learned what works and what doesn’t. You’ve screwed up thousands of times in your life and now you’re an expert on what you do well – and what you don’t do well. No one knows what you know. And there’s no MBA on earth that will teach you that – not even the MBA from Seth Godin, which, by the way, is now closed.
So, what will you do to kick ass in 2009?
- You will stop doing those things that have gotten you no results. Instead, you will do the opposite.
You will start doing things that are insanely remarkable – things no one will see coming. Not even your Mom!- You will take time and read all those starred items in your RSS reader.
- You will smile more at those you love – and know them for the first time.
- You will remember that you are not your mistakes. Rather, you are what your friends love about you.
- You will tell the world when you feel down instead of hiding.
- You will spend more time with clients and friends – and not let their calls go to voice mail.
- You will close your laptop each day and go for a long walk outside in the fresh air.
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