S.U.M.M.I.T. Leadership

"The New Year is a painting not yet painted; a path not yet stepped on; a wing not yet taken off! Things haven’t happened as yet! Before the clock strikes twelve, remember that you are blessed with the ability to reshape your life!" - Mehmet Murat ildan Happy New Year's Eve, everyone! As the closing of 2020 comes to an end, and the excitement and anticipation of 2021 approaches, I am always reminded to reflect back on the past year and create a plan for the new year, to ensure greater outcomes.  2020 was a challenging and strange year indeed for everyone. On one hand it feels natural to think "where did the year go?" Yet on the other hand it feels like it was "the longest year ever!" COVID-19 forever changed our world and how we go about our lives on a day-to-day basis. We had to endure "stay-at-home" orders, home schooling, and remote work-from-home. Some companies and businesses struggled to survive, with tons of layoffs and closures causin

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." - Burton Hillis Christmastime has always been one of my favorite times of year. As a kid, of course, it meant getting gifts! As I grew older, however, it became more about the giving! After all, it's the season of giving, so people tend to focus more on others during this time of year. It's in the spirit of the season that we spend hours shopping for gifts for family, friends and colleagues. Or some of us are looking for ways to give to people in need. All in all, we are seeking to find ways to add value to other people, intentionally.  The best thing about this is, in reality, you can do this every day. It doesn't just have to happen once a year. If we seek to find ways to add value to other people's lives on a daily basis, we can achieve and receive a life filled with significance. Strive to not only make that the spirit of Christmas, but every day

"Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you." - Zig Ziglar A friend posted this today. I thought it was a good lesson.   A story was told, that one day a school teacher wrote on the board the following: 9 x 1 = 7 9 x 2 = 18  9 x 3 = 27  9 x 4 = 36  9 x 5 = 45  9 x 6 = 54  9 x 7 = 63  9 x 8 = 72  9 x 9 = 81  9 x 10 = 90  When she was done, she looked to the students and they were all laughing at her, because of the first equation which was wrong. The teacher responded with the following statement:  I wrote that first one wrong on purpose, because I wanted you to learn something important. This was for you to know how the world out there will treat you. You can see that I wrote the RIGHT things 9 times, but none of you congratulated me for it. But you all laughed and criticized me because of the one wrong thing I did. So this is the lesson: The world will not always appreciate the good you do a

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." - Buddha December is always a time of reflection. Especially as we approach a New Year. But this year has been different than others. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to reflect throughout the year. To take note of the things that are really important to us, in life. Yes, it has been a challenging year for all. But causing us to take the time to reflect upon these things could prove to be truly valuable. It caused us to pause and take notice of the people and things we may have been taking for granted. What things did you feel really good about? What things could have went better? What did you do really well? What could you improve upon? What shouldn't you have done? What should you have done? What things could you have enjoyed more? What things should you let go of? Reflecting upon your past is a good thing. You need your past to be able to create a better future for yo

"Make a gift of your life and lift all mankind by being kind, considerate, forgiving, and compassionate at all times, in all places, and under all conditions, with everyone as well as yourself. This is the greatest gift anyone can give." —  Dr. David Hawkins With the holiday season well upon us, we are once again feeling the impact of living through a global pandemic that has changed the way we operate, and changed our lives in so many different ways.  Typically this would be a great time of celebration and festivities. Time spent gathering with friends and family. Rushing around in shopping malls, shopping for presents. But this year feels so, so different. And many are just done with it all.  We need each other, now, more than ever. We need kindness, love, warmth and giving. We need to be there for one another. This year has weighed heavily on everyone. Everyone is struggling in some way, shape or form. Some out of work. Some in a constant daycare situation. Some don't

"Invest the first hour of the day, the 'Golden Hour', in yourself." - Brian Tracy Your morning routine will set the tone for the rest of your day. What we think about throughout the day, we bring about, most of the time. So we must set ourselves up for the best possible outcomes by intentionally preparing ourselves at the beginning of each day. When you create positive and healthy habitual behaviors for each morning you are setting your day up for success. So, it is important to start your day off right.   Here are some tips that will help set you on the right path to making the rest of your days, the best of your days! GET UP A LITTLE BIT EARLIER : Give yourself some time, and learn to use it efficiently. One of the things that creates stress in our lives is the feeling of being rushed, or late, or not having enough time to do what you need or want to. The simplest of solutions is to make better use of your time. Give yourself more time, to take your time, to ease in

"We're a species that rushes through everything, then complains that time flies." - Steve Maraboli   The holiday season is always fun but a hectic time of year. Like the song says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." But often, for many, it becomes the most stressful time of the year. So much to do and so little time to do it all in. Or so it always feels like. We bounce from holiday to holiday, beginning with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Dinners, parties, decorating, shopping, gifts, over and over again. We feel like we have enough stress during normal times.  Add on top of it the effects of a global pandemic. Now we also have the stress and anxiety of the holiday season to deal with. It can get to be too much! If there is one thing that this COVID-19 pandemic has taught me through all of this craziness, is that we need to learn to appreciate each day, each moment. We have to learn to be intentional in our approach to '