Every year in late November or early December, I take a day or so to reflect on the current year’s activities and accomplishments. Even though it seemed like December 2018 was yesterday and surely given how fast the year flew by, it didn’t seem like much happened in my life. The early days of doing year-end reviews were all about my accomplishments or the lack of them. It’s not a great way to feel good about yourself if it’s all about accomplishments. It’s easy to look at my list and see all the things I planned to do and didn’t get done.
What is Really Important?
Over time, I’ve learned to incorporate a much more balanced approach while reflecting on what’s transpired over the past twelve months or so. The importance of social interactions and the meaning they have in my life is now what is most important to me.
For example, visiting with my parents and talking for hours at their kitchen table. Driving several hours with my wife to have lunch with two of my kids at college. Attending college and professional sporting events with my family. Family events over holidays like Thanksgiving is always a treat. The epicurean delights always expand my waistline as well as expanding my TMI (too much information) knowledge on all the wackiness happening across our extended family. Dinner with a dear friend who recovered from cancer that almost took her life. Yes, everyday matters.
A Special Year
2019 was a particularly special year. Much of it is due to an event my family and I attended in July. A couple of years ago while surfing for documentaries to watch on Netflix, I stumbled on one from Tony Robbins called I’m Not Your Guru. Up to this point, I was not a Tony Robbins fan. But that was due to ignorance and prejudice of what I thought I knew about him and his work. The truth is I knew nothing, yet I’d decided his style and programs were not for me.
Watching this documentary happened at a time when one of my family members was dealing with severe depression. My circumstances certainly connected me more closely to the documentary but I instantly became a fan of Robbins. I watched the show another time and then a third time with my wife. Subsequently, I listened to Robbins’ interview on the Tim Ferriss podcast and then subscribed to Robbin’s podcast. Robbins 2006 Ted Talk was very powerful too. It was the Ferriss interview that made me a raving fan.
A Fortuitous Email
In May of this year, an email solicitation arrived in my personal inbox to attend a Tony Robbins conference called “Unleash the Power Within” in Dallas. Most of the time my wife and I spend way too much time researching everything we do before deciding. In this case, I distinctly recall telling my wife about the conference.
After listening to me and without question, she agreed that we all should go. In typical fashion, I hadn’t even read the details or reviews of the event. It wasn’t until a few weeks later after we were already registered did I learn from my wife what lay ahead.
Here’s the cliff note version of what happened. It was without question the most meaningful four days our family has ever spent together. It changed our lives and our lives were forever changed by a conversation one of my kids shared with us. Just thinking about those four days now makes me emotional. In 2020 I plan to write a detailed account of what happened at the event and what’s happened since then.
Important Influences
While contemplating all that has transpired this year, I wondered about the influences in my life. It is very clear how important podcasts and certain blogs have become in my life. My belief in Tim Ferriss gave me the confidence to attend Robbin’s event. Something that up to this point in my life I would never have attended. Learning the story of James Clear inspired me to start my own blog. Yes, I’m always looking for new paths and help. Maybe that’s why I connect to these authors.
If you’re looking for help or ideas in your life or maybe just a different source of entertainment, consider the following resources.
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show – by Tim Ferriss, This is the most widely listened to podcast. There are interviews with well know people and people you don’t know. It seems the longer interviews are a tipoff to the quality of the podcast. Check out episode #331. It is always entertaining to see how much people can accomplish.
Anthony Robbins Podcast – by Anthony Robbins, Checkout the podcasts starting November 4, 2019, called the 10 Gifts of Life. Each one of them is compelling in their own unique way.
Side Hustle School – by Chris Guillebeau, A 10-minute boost of inspiration listening to normal people start their own side business.
Revisionist History – by Malcolm Gladwell. One of my top five nonfiction authors.
Against the Rules – by Michael Lewis. Maybe my favorite nonfiction writer.
The Way I Heard It – by Mike Rowe – If you remember Paul Harvey’s The Rest of the Story you’ll love The Way I Heard It too. If you only listen to one episode, check out number 96, “The Pilot and the Passenger”. It’s truly unbelievable and gripping!
Most Impactful Books of 2019
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed – by Lori Gottlieb – I actually listened to the book which made it even more enjoyable. Audiobooks are a wonderful way to consume books if you haven’t tried it.
Educated: A Memoir – by Tara Westover – Holy cow! What a wild and crazy story.
