We all want to be successful, and happiness is the ultimate goal of all decisions we make in life. But which comes first, success or happiness? While success is often measured externally or by comparison to others in our lives, happiness is usually a quality of an individual.

Although both concepts are inevitably linked, what does it take to really be happy? Does success always guarantee happiness?

If you are working up to something exciting that you really care about, you don't have to be pushed. The vision pulls you. If you don't know where you're going, you won't know when you've arrived. Check out my video!

Separating habits or judgements from our identity takes intention. I was in the habit of constantly doing something. It helped define who I was – someone who accomplished things and didn’t waste their “free” time. The truth was – it wasn’t serving me. Frankly, it was exhausting as well as depriving me of the time and mind space I needed to really think in the creative, strategic, imaginative way I wanted to.

I received my second vaccine a month ago. In the months, weeks, and days leading up to this, I had a list of the places I was going to fly off to and all the things I was going to do the moment I was immunized. Sun, warmth, and beaches permeated my thoughts. I thought transitioning from living with angst around my safety, back to my pre-COVID ways of being, would be as easy as a light switch turning on.

The reality of “return to work” is swiftly gaining momentum. In speaking with many clients over the past few weeks it is apparent this looming transition has some looking towards it with eager anticipation and others with sheer anxiety. In the meantime, “hybrid” has entered our vernacular at a never imagined rate. Most organizations have come to the realization that productivity did not suffer while working from home, and flexibility and balance will be critical in retaining happy, committed employees.

Most people find it hard to admit when they are wrong. When we make a mistake, have the wrong information, or miss something we should have seen, our immediate reaction is to deflect it. Admitting you are wrong can be the very thing that makes you so much more right in the long run.

It seems hard to imagine it has been a year since the world changed from COVID-19. In a year where we have lost so much, take a moment to recognize what you have gained. Honor your capacity to take on a challenge, stay the course and bring yourself to the other side.

Powerful women. These words seem to create a vision of those who have crashed through a glass ceiling, famously challenged an injustice or forged a “first” achievement. We think of the very public faces of women who seem to have an unbreakable spirit, superhuman strength and enduring commitment to rise above, against the odds.

We have all heard the phrase “born leader” suggesting the personality you are born with predetermines your potential. Similarly, much has been written that birth order drives certain personality traits and associated behaviors. Is there truth to this?

Our families are our first experience within an organizational structure. Be it a start-up, a small partnership or in my case, the one pictured above - a highly structured hierarchical machine, this is where we first form the stories we tell ourselves.

The past year has moved all of us in multiple ways. Economic and social challenges, the shift to a virtual existence, changing expectations and altered and competing priorities are just some of the impacts of COVID on our professional lives.

Developing greater self-awareness is the first and most important step in investing in yourself. It is about recognizing and understanding how you show up to others as well as owning how you think about yourself. How can you become more self-aware?

The start of the New Year is when many of us determine to reset our priorities. These resolutions often reflect our desire to live healthier and more fulfilling lives – to be better leaders or make a major life change.

Understanding what to to stop doing is the key to making the most of your time.

By shifting our mindset, we can find joy in what is familiar.