As we begin the new year, one question comes to mind. Over the years I’ve written each week about leadership. As you’ll know by now, the definition of leadership that resonates most strongly for me is the following. ‘Leaders declare a future that others commit to achieve.’ The focus is on defining a vision of the future and engaging others to achieve it. But what do we need within us before we engage others?
My Best Life
I started thinking about this after reading an excellent post from Isaac Presley who happens to be my personal wealth advisor. I was going to call him my financial advisor but he is so much more than that. Isaac is all about helping people live their best lives. He asked this simple question:
“Which expenses brought you the most joy this year?”
I expanded it to focus on the following question:
“What activities brought me the most joy this year?”
If you are like me, and a good number of my clients, you probably wrestle with life’s purpose. What is a good life and what will bring me joy and happiness? The answer may be simpler than I thought. Rather than try to figure out what I should be doing, it makes sense to do more of what has brought me joy. And try to minimize those things that diminish my sense of joy.
A Big Shift
As I think about this question, I notice my mood has shifted. I am no longer anxiously trying to arrive at the answer, I find myself reliving those wonderful experiences from the previous year. Having more of these will be a good thing and perhaps that provides an outline for what is my best life?
What activities brought you the most joy in 2024 and what do they tell you about 2025?