Showing posts with label personal growth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal growth. Show all posts

Saturday, December 29, 2012

What's Ahead For You?


Last December when I began to think about 2012 I decided to go beyond the “to do” list of accomplishments. I wanted to actually have experiences that allowed me to reconnect with myself and rediscover what was truly important to me. 

To make the change I wanted I knew focus was important. There were three areas I wanted to get better at: improve my fitness level, be more connected spiritually and grow my business. I defined the specifics to accomplish each of these though knew growth and discovery was going to be about jumping in and experiencing life differently instead of just reading another good book. 

With these three goals in mind, I said yes to doing things I have never done before. Saying yes allowed me to grow, IN A BIG WAY, both personally and professionally. 

What I did and how I did it was all very unfamiliar to me.

What I did…

I led with my heart instead of my head. 

When the right opportunities were presented I said YES. The YES was immediate, though I needed to work through the conflicts between my thoughts and my feelings. My head kept saying things like: you didn’t plan for this, you already have other travel commitments, how can you take more time away from work, is this being responsible, should you be spending the money, you have to put a new roof on the house... The whole time my head was in this space my whole body was screaming, this is what you asked for! You need to do this! 

One of the things I did: While attending a weekend workshop the facilitator spoke about the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins. Swimming with the dolphins was all about fun and play. This trip spoke to me and was an experience I didn’t want to pass up. I began rationalizing all the reasons why I shouldn’t go. Six weeks later I was on a plane going to Bimini. This was a first!

I learned by listening to my heart and quieting my mind that the right decision, allowed me to feel totally at peace with myself. There were no yucky unresolved feelings that often showed up and hung around when I made a bad, hasty decision that was not in my best interest. Have you ever done that? 

It may sound easy though learning to listen to my heart was challenging. In the past I have stopped short of what I really wanted believing it was impossible to “have it all.” This year I changed the way I thought, shattered old beliefs that weren’t even mine and went after what I wanted. It was exhilarating!


How I did it…

I connected to the meaning of the goal instead of just meeting it.

Knowing what I wanted to create for myself in 2012 was a different place to start from than just working to get things done. Knowing why it was important to be more fit, more spiritually connected and systemize my business changed my energy and mindset. Once I committed I immediately started paying attention to the invitations I was receiving from friends to attend live talks, group meditations and workshops that would surround me with like-minded people. 

In the past I may have dismissed these invitations and made excuses as to why I didn’t have time to attend. However after making the mental commitment of what I wanted to create for 2012 I was amazed how quickly opportunities were showing up for me to take action.

These initial experiences became the jumping off point of the three major trips I took this year and joining my business mastermind group; all of which tied back to my three original goals – fitness, spirituality and business. I had a focus!

It was fascinating to engage in unfamiliar activities: no planning ahead, saying yes when it was right, saying no when it wasn’t, traveling with a group, rooming with strangers and joining a business mastermind group that wasn’t local. Because I had taken the time to establish my goals AND knew what achieving them meant to me, I found every cell in my body telling me to seize the opportunities that presented despite it feeling a bit out of character. 

I traveled to places I have never been before – Peru, Bimini and Quebec City. Every trip had a physical component – walking, hiking and yoga. I attended every live event that was aligned with my goals, no excuses. 

By jumping in and doing what I haven’t done before I learned it was not about doing one thing versus the other. I learned I could have it all by having one activity compliment the other to achieve what I wanted from a fitness, spiritual and business perspective. 


What I know now…

This was a year of discovery in doing what wasn’t familiar and letting go of what no longer worked. I did achieve what I set out to do and more. It is what I now know that has been most profound…

Being spontaneous can be just as important as planning.


Exercise doesn’t have to be hard just consistent.


My spirituality is not a practice is it a way of living. 


A new acquaintance can turn out to be a key player in your life!


My mind does not know what is better for me than my heart.


Giving AND receiving are both important to master.


Asking for what you need is a sign of strength.


Having it all is possible!


The journey of self-discovery, connection and growth is continuous. 

What did you do in 2012 that you are proud of? What do you want for yourself in 2013? Why? How will you get there? Who will you surround yourself with to help you?

Start a conversation by sharing what you want and why in 2013 in the comments below. This is also a great place to get support.


Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!


Dorothy Lazovik is President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a Personal Brand Strategist, Executive Leadership Coach, facilitator and speaker. If you are interested in learning more about managing your impression, empowering your personal brand or mastering your IT factor go to: www.authenticleadersedge.com.




Thursday, December 20, 2012

Do You Agree With Disney?


Do you believe in happy endings and the possibility of dreams coming true? If not, please DON’T BURST MY BUBBLE! 

There is evidence all around us to prove that dreams do come true. The proof shows up when we focus on the things that support our dreams rather than on the things that don’t. 

Dreams require belief and determination because the road may not always be smooth. While en route to achieving our dreams we may encounter detours, bumps in the road, setbacks and barriers. When these come up it might feel like reaching our dream is impossible, however just like Walt Disney, with the right support system and focus, dreams do come true.
                      
One Dream

A girlfriend of mine has talked about living downtown, like she did before having children, for the 20 years I have known her. She conceded to move to the suburbs based on her husbands’ desires but always knew that downtown would be her home again one day. She recently became the proud homeowner of a downtown home!

She never obsessed over it but the dream was always there. There were times the dream felt like it would never happen. There were times the dream seemed financially out of reach. There were unexpected events that occurred and she even hit a few potholes through the years. But, the dream persisted even when her circumstances made it seem impossible. 

Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” 


Your Dream

In the spirit of possibility think about what you have always dreamt of wanting to do or have? 

Write this dream down and commit to it. Whether your dream is purchasing a home, being mortgage free, buying that dream car, landing that dream job, starting your own business, performing on stage, volunteering your time or taking that dream trip, it can happen.

Once you have the clarity of having written down explicitly what you want to achieve, think about who you can talk to about your dream. Make sure it is a person that will support you and your dream. 

As you are gearing up for 2013 outline a few steps you can take this coming year that will get you closer to living your dream. 


Realizing Your Dream

My oldest son had to overcome, what he saw as obstacles, to move closer to his dream; this meant making some tough decisions. One was selling a brand new truck that he loved to go back to school. Getting to this point was not easy but now that the decision has been made his excitement is undeniable. This is what living into your dream feels like.

What are you willing to do or give up to live your dream?


NOTE: Your personal brand is ALL about you and creating the life that reflects who you are….that includes your dreams! 

Share your dreams in the comments below, the big ones and the small ones. The more people you tell, the more you talk about your dreams the better! Here’s to making your dreams come true.



Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!


Dorothy Lazovik is President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a Personal Brand Strategist, Executive Leadership Coach, facilitator and speaker. If you are interested in learning more about managing your impression, empowering your personal brand or mastering your IT factor go to: www.authenticleadersedge.com.



Thursday, September 27, 2012

Use The Mirror


The mirror is a powerful tool! I know, you typically think about using the mirror to fix yourself up or check yourself out. Though you can also use the mirror to build your self-esteem and confidence.

I work with women who have experienced violence and witnessed, over the past nine years, amazing transformations when using the mirror as a tool. (Psst, it works with clients too.) The process I take them through is:

  • Write a list of fifteen qualities and characteristics they love about themselves. 
  • Stand in front of the mirror either first thing in the morning or last thing at night before they go to bed.
  • Look yourself in the eyes and repeat your qualities and characteristics in the present. “I am….” 
  • Continue to look at yourself, take it in and breathe. 

The women report that at first it is challenging and feels silly. Sometimes they laugh and sometimes they cry. Then they get past that and find themselves repeating these words when they are on the bus or walking to get their kids from school. It lifts their spirits and shifts their energy. This creates a powerful transformation that has a positive domino effect in all areas of their lives. 

Want to boost your confidence? Need to get better at accepting praise for a job well done? Want to be more self-assured when presenting to a group? 

I have used this technique myself to practice gracefully saying thank you when someone pays me a compliment. I use to find it difficult to accept a compliment. I would look away, dismiss it or blush! Now I maintain eye contact and have no problem accepting praise. 

I have also used the mirror technique when practicing speeches. In the book The Magic of Believing (originally published in 1948), the author, Claude M. Bristol, shares that Winston Churchill never gave an important speech before delivering it to a mirror first.

Discover what you would like to feel more confident about, use the mirror technique and share your results. If you have another confidence boosting method I would love for you to share that too!


Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!

Dorothy Lazovik is President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a Personal Brand Strategist, Trainer, Speaker and Executive Coach. If you are interested in learning more go to: www.authenticleadersedge.com.




Thursday, July 5, 2012

Five Key Elements to Make Change Easy!


Have you ever found yourself thinking ‘I’ve been in this situation before’? Have you found yourself getting similar results despite thinking you are doing things better to create positive change?

I know it sounds crazy, but it happens! It happens with my clients AND to me!!  

You set out to create change, and you really want to achieve your goals; however you fall prey to old habits and possibly allow yourself to blame external circumstances. You make small adjustments, perform inconsistently and can’t understand why you are not reaching your goals. 

Change doesn’t just happen. Saying it doesn’t make it so. To be different you have to think and do different...consistently! This is not always easy but it is absolutely necessary. So what can you do to make change happen?

I recently went on a trip to swim with the dolphins in Bimini. For me it was about making a change to integrate more play into my life. Surrounded by the ocean, being in a different environment with like-minded people made play seem so easy. It makes sense; everyone was there for the same reason!

Similarly, when you attend a one or two day workshop to develop a new skill, it takes you out of your routine and you find yourself in an environment with a group of people who are all there to learn. When everyone is “in on it” (whether “it” is swimming with dolphins or learning something new) the change you want seems so possible.

Being surrounded by people who get it, understand what you want to accomplish and support you in your efforts is invaluable.

Though you don’t need to go to Bimini or attend a workshop every time you want to make a change. So how can the value of these experiences be brought into your everyday life? 

Here are the five elements you can extract from the above examples to make change easier day-to-day: 


1. Know what change you want. Is it to play more and have more fun? Is it to learn a new skill? Is it to incorporate more time to read or exercise? Is it a behavior you want to change? Identifying a specific change will provide you with a place to start.

2. Change up your environment. Do something different or go someplace that will inspire you. Meet up with friends at the waterfront and have a BBQ or play volleyball, just for fun! Go to a place you love, do a wine tour, attend a concert, take a different route to work, have lunch with someone new or go somewhere that you’ve heard about but have never been. Shake things up! It shifts your perspective and renews your energy.

3. Surround yourself with like-minded people. Hire a coach, a trainer, a teacher or find a mentor. An accountability partner can also help you get where you want to go. Keep company with people that support you. You don’t have to do it alone and trust me, it can be a whole lot more fun when you have company! 

4. Say YES. When an opportunity presents itself that feels right take a risk and do it. If uncertain or fear arises check in with yourself. Decide whether your uncertainty comes from not wanting to make the effort or it just not being the right thing for you. 

5. Engage in activities that support a positive mindset. Read a book that inspires you, listen to music that lifts your spirits, join a group that aligns with your way of thinking, exercise to raise your energy. Find the activities that will support you and keep you on track. On the flip side, identify any activities that are draining you and replace them with new ones that get you pumped.

Pick one of the five elements to implement now. Stretch yourself!  Commit yourself to the actions that create change. These actions will become habits.

It’s crazy to expect change to happen when everything around you stays the same. Change isn’t always easy, however it is absolutely possible. AND when it is something you want, change is also worthwhile. 


Share a method you use that supports you in making change happen in your life.  

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!
Dorothy Lazovik is President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a Personal Brand Strategist, trainer, speaker and coach. Interested in learning more and wanting to connect with Dorothy you can at www.authenticleadersedge.com.




Wednesday, June 20, 2012

What About Fun?



You can just have it. It is easy. It is something you can do everyday. It takes no more effort than not having fun. It gives you something to look forward to. It leads to laughter. It feels good. It makes being with other people more enjoyable. It raises your energy. It makes you feel like a kid. It becomes a habit if you let it. 

I recently went to a small island with a group of strangers to have the experience of swimming with wild dolphins. I never traveled with a group before or roomed with a stranger. It was totally out of my comfort zone though swimming with the dolphins was one of those things I always wanted to do. 

The trip of swimming with the dolphins was presented as a way to integrate more fun and play into my life. My hand shot up and I was in. I thought who doesn’t want more of that!!!




Swimming with these beautiful creatures was amazing. The experience of connection I felt with the group of strangers changed me. The fun and laughter that we indulged in was effortless.





This was accomplished first by saying yes to something that was outside of my comfort zone. Add in going with the mindset of playing and having fun. This also happened with a group of people I didn't know. These strangers now feel like family. 

What holds you back from having more fun?

What can you say YES to that gets you outside of your comfort zone and creates more fun?
What would change for you if you shifted your mindset to embracing fun daily? 

Go! Have more fun!! If not now, when? It is really so much easier than you think!!!

Would love to hear your stories on how you implement having fun in your life. Post them in the comments below and share the impact it has on how others see you.


Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!
Dorothy Lazovik is President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a Personal Brand Strategist, trainer, speaker and coach. Interested in learning more and wanting to connect with Dorothy you can at www.authenticleadersedge.com.





Monday, April 23, 2012

Take Your Fear....


I spent last weekend immersed in a course entitled “Get Out of Your Own Way” that has me feeling recharged and invigorated about life. Having a different perspective of expanding on who I am inspires me and taking fear that shows up in my life along for the ride feels empowering. 

There are a range of emotions you feel in the process of living your life - joy, sadness, pleasure, hardship, fun, disappointment and the list goes on. Though fear seems to be the one emotion that has the potential to hold us back or take us out of the game. 

Fear will show up so it is important to decide how you will deal with it, not eliminate it. You can bump into fear and let it become an obstacle that keeps you from moving forward or you can choose to recognize it and bring it along for the ride.


Choosing Your Focus 

Example: Imagine you have a meeting to review a presentation with your boss that you have not completed. You are new in your role and acknowledge you didn’t request the information you needed from your team far enough ahead of time. 

You can choose to be fearful of what your boss will think by falling short of his expectations and make excuses OR you can start the meeting by letting him know that the presentation is incomplete, that you didn't request the information from others far enough ahead of time and give him a date when you will be prepared to review the completed presentation.

The first choice has you acting from fear and the second choice has you facing your fear and bringing it along for the ride. 

A client lived through this situation and his boss praised him for his leadership and taking ownership of the situation. 


Example: Imagine that you have been given an ultimatum from your boss due to fundamental disagreements. He expects you to do things his way (which to you is out of integrity) or you have forty-five days. You can choose to be fearful of not being able to get another job, worry about what everyone is going to say and decide to stay OR you can be true to who you are and take the forty-five days. 

The first choice you are acting from fear and the second choice you are facing your fear and taking it along for the ride.

I actually lived through this in my twenties. Fear never took over because I so strongly believed in my choice. It showed up though I chose not to entertain it or make myself the victim. I did what was right for me and stayed focused on my success. What I did well became my story when I networked, not why I left. Much to my surprise I landed a new job within two weeks!

“Miracles seem to happen when we are focused 
on the right stuff.”    
 Dorothy Lazovik

Get Real

Fear is a belief you have it is not based on facts. Fear is something you make up in your head about what might happen.  

When you are willing to take a stand, face your fear and take it along for the ride, you will discover it is never as bad as you think.

There is a quote by Mark Twain that I love. “There are many terrible things that have happened to me in my life and some of them have actually happened.”

Take your fear along for the ride, it will empower you and your life!

Would love to hear your story about how you have dealt with fear. I invite you to post your story, comments or questions.

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!

Dorothy Lazovik is a Personal Brand Strategist and President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a facilitator, speaker and coach. Interested in learning more and wanting to connect with Dorothy you can at www.authenticleadersedge.com.






Friday, April 13, 2012

Are You Choosing Your Best?


I was having a conversation with my twenty-one year old son, Kyle, regarding choices. The ones we make, why we make them and how they affect us. 

Kyle, who is a student at the Ontario College of Art and Design, shared an expectation from one of his teachers. At the beginning of the term Kyle’s teacher emphasized the importance of each student submitting the artwork they considered their best. He did not, under any circumstances, want them to submit a piece of artwork for a project that they thought he might like better. 

Kyle’s teacher warned there was a danger in doing that – “what if you hand in the piece of art you think I will like, it is not your best piece and I don’t like it?” 

Kyle has taken these words to heart and they have had a profound affect. Not only does he consider those words when he is handing in his art, it has influenced other decisions in his life. Hearing this from a teacher he respects gave Kyle permission to make what he considered to be necessary changes.

He shut down his Facebook page because he would rather have real conversations with his friends. He got rid of his iPhone because for him it was a distraction and took him away from living in the present moment. He replaced it with an ordinary cell phone that he turns on only when needed. He never liked the idea of being available on demand.

Taking ownership of living by our own standards takes courage when we go against what is popular. Though this is truly the way for each of us to live our best lives: the one that we choose not the one that is imposed. What are you doing to live your best life?

Comment below and share what you do in choosing what is best for you. It may be exactly the inspiration someone else needs to hear.

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!

Dorothy Lazovik is a Personal Brand Strategist and President of Authentic Leader’s Edge. She is a facilitator, speaker and executive coach. Interested in learning more and wanting to connect with Dorothy you can at www.authenticleadersedge.com.

Monday, February 6, 2012

How Do You Want To Be Perceived?

During a group session I recently delivered we were discussing one of the questions that needs to be considered when developing your personal brand. The answer acts as a guideline for everything you do. 

How do you want to be perceived?

It is an easy question and the answer can help you move the needle immediately in creating an authentic impression that aligns with your brand. 

Note: I did not ask, “how do you think you should be perceived” it is important for you to answer, “how do you want to be perceived”. Sometimes people think they need to fit into a certain prototype; you have a specific role and this is how you should be in that role. The goal here is for you to define how you want to be perceived as a person, all the time in every situation. No matter what!

A participant shared he wants to be perceived as confident and calm. Than preceded to ask, “What can I do when I am talking to a colleague and he makes me angry?”

My sons would be rolling their eyes at the response to this question because they have heard it so often. NO ONE can make you angry! I’m not suggesting it is easy to not react to someone when they are pushing your buttons though it is absolutely possible to remain composed. 

Knowing how you want to be perceived helps you in defining the behaviour you choose to live by. You get to play by your rules! You have the power to choose and have absolute control over how you behave.

We have all, at least once, given our power away to another person by reacting. We get hooked in and most often we don’t realize it until it is too late. I have had clients say, “he/she made me” or  “everyone else is doing it!” Yes these are responses from grown people. We behave badly than don’t even stop to face the truth or consider our part.

If you are interested in wanting to be perceived in a particular way you need to act accordingly and own it! All the time not just when it is easy.

To help you achieve success start with the end in mind. Know the desired impression you want to establish. Here are three tips to remember:

 1.  You are 'the boss' of you! No one can make you do anything you don't want to. You choose your behaviour.

 2.  You're in control of the impression you create. Don’t allow the bad behaviour of someone else to effect or change yours. If you react allowing yourself to get hooked into the negative energy of another individual you make the decision to play by their rules. When you know how you want to be perceived (the words you want others to use to describe you) it better equips you to respond consciously by engaging in the behaviour that aligns with the experience you want to create.

3.  You always have a choice. Whether consciously or unconsciously, YOU decide how to behave. You have total control over your behaviour and it is important to own it.

Decide how you want to be perceived and act accordingly. This will have you playing the lead role in your own movie versus a supporting role in someone else’s. Choose to live consciously and own who you are!

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to achieve outstanding results!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Ready To Let Go?

Recently a client was making excuses for not following through on having a conversation with an employee regarding her performance. We began to walk through the approach when she ended up sharing a story of being on the receiving end of this type of conversation that left her feeling inadequate and ashamed. She was blamed for everything that went wrong on a particular project.

Since she told the story with so much detail and emotional charge I asked, “How long ago was this?” I was expecting to hear several weeks ago. Her answer was six years ago! 

She was still holding onto the negative emotions after six years! As if having these feelings weren’t bad enough, this negative experience was impacting her ability to effectively handle the difficult conversations in her life now. It was holding her back both professionally and personally.

Warning! None of us are immune from holding onto emotionally charged experiences from the past. 

The good news is it’s curable! Bringing this situation out in the open was helpful to move through the negative feelings. It also provided us with the opportunity to break down the elements of the circumstance, discuss the delivery of the message and extract the lessons. 

Lessons Learned:
  • She didn’t need to behave badly or make her employee feel inadequate. She had the choice to be respectful of the other person and discuss what went wrong.
  • She didn't need to blame. She could handle the conversation by addressing the issues and be open to discussing best practices for the future.
  • She would never have a difficult conversation with another person when she was emotional. She would deliver her message when she was able to separate the emotions from the issue.
This new awareness inspired change for my client and allowed her to let go of the old emotions. She got clear in regards to her message and the delivery. She was committed to intentionally creating an experience that aligned with her personal brand reflecting who she was. This gave her the confidence to embrace having the difficult conversations with all the people in her life.


Negative experiences can hold powerful emotional charges. The emotional charge dissipates when there is awareness and you are willing to fearlessly deal with it head on!

Are you ready to face an emotionally charged experience and breakthrough what is holding you back?


Awareness is the first step to letting go!


Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to achieve outstanding results!





Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Letting Go...


I was reminded the other day of how elephants are conditioned. When they are babies they get chained to a tree so they don’t escape. While chained to the tree a baby elephant makes every attempt to break free. After countless attempts the elephant realizes it is not strong enough to escape, it gives up and stops trying. 

At this point it becomes safe to unchain the elephant from the tree. Even as they grow and become these strong magnificent creatures, if they have a chain around their ankle they won’t attempt to escape. Their conditioning leads them to believe they can’t.

I began to think about how similar we are to the elephants. How we let old conditioning from our past influence and sometimes dictate our future.

Think about it ….we start out being conditioned by our family, teachers, friends, society and the media about what we can and can’t do; what we should and shouldn't say; what we should and shouldn’t wear; what we can and can’t achieve. 

We’re often conditioned to take from life what we can get instead of being empowered to go after what we really want.  

I know in my lifetime there are many things that I have had to re-evaluate based on what I was told growing up and what I currently believe to be true for me now. When I was young my parents believed that guys with long hair were essentially trouble. Than I dated a guy in high school that had long hair. He was from a good family, an A student and an athlete! They changed their belief.

I initially believed that when I went through my divorce years ago I failed. I failed based on how society and my religious upbringing defined divorce. I have come to know that I did not fail.

I believe failure is when you let a person or experience take you down and you decide not to get back up. I did get up and am more of who I am today because of my experience. It has been a gift that helped me see myself and my life differently. I changed my belief.

What chains are you wearing that are keeping you tied to old beliefs and conditioning?
What old conditioning from the past influences what you believe is possible for the future? 

Decide what you REALLY want and act with that intention in mind to make it happen. 

Commit to what you really want, not what you think you can get. STRETCH YOURSELF!
Identify the bigger picture for your life and stop holding yourself small. STRETCH YOURSELF!
Be consistent in your efforts and never give up! Continually STRETCH YOURSELF!

2012 is your year. You can do this!

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to achieve outstanding results!






Friday, December 16, 2011

Simple Gifts That DON'T Need To Be Wrapped


In the spirit of what this time of year represents – the season of giving and spreading good cheer - what can we do to contribute to that feeling?

Here are a few very thoughtful gifts that don’t need to be wrapped, can make a big difference for another person and you feel good too! There is nothing better than when we all win.

Remember to say please and thank you. It shows respect and is an expression of appreciation.
Give recognition to a colleague, employee or loved one for a job well done.
Slow down and look someone in the eyes when you are talking to them. It let's them know they matter.
Holding the door for someone ‘just because’.
When buying your coffee pay for the person behind you. So cool when that person immediately does the same.
Show genuine interest in someone by asking what is going on in their life, than listen. 
Let your loved ones know how much they mean to you. No one ever gets tired of knowing how much they are loved.
Let the people you work with know how they and their contributions make a difference. 
Spend quality time with family and friends.
Be kind to yourself so you can be kind to others. 

The most meaningful gifts in life are the ones that make people feel cared for and special. Sharing these types of gifts continues to pay themselves forward long after they have taken place. It is possible to give without spending a lot of money. Pick one, do it and the responses you will get are priceless!

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to achieve outstanding results!