Happy New Year 2009

Make everything simpler.

You may feel overwhelmed by all the promises of this brand new year. How to keep them all? The answer is right in front of you: simplify. Complexity slows you down.

Do more of less. Focus on what you know is important. Resist the temptation to fill your schedule to the brim. Instead, sip the sweet moments of chance and rest.

Carry yourself gracefully and professionally.

And you will find that your voice carries farther.

There is strength in restraint and there is a time for every purpose - in business and in life. Choose wisely. I prefer to be kind to being right.

Find meaning by giving meaning.

Many are probably feeling indigestion from all the social networking and marketing. Think more attraction and purpose, less vying for positions or seeking definitions.

Social media may not be an organization per se, however is it akin to an organism where both the projects and the people need to be fulfilled. We get the kind of network we deserve, after all.

Launch and learn.

Get your ideas done. Choose fewer of them and really go at it. Set standards and find a pace for yourself - then hold yourself to them. 

Don't fear mistakes, welcome them. They will help you become more resilient and flexible - in some cases even kinder. Nothing like the fresh breeze of reality to energize our purpose. Adapt your plan to circumstances and keep going.

Action speaks louder than words. Make it positive. Teach. Lead. Learn. Love.

Comments

[John Spence]

Well said my friend, well said! Thanks for a superb post - I wish you every success and happiness in 2009 - John

[Doug Firebaugh]

Amazing Post again as usual- Happy New Year Valeria-and keep up this amazing gift you share with all of us so freely! Thank you for your knowledge, grace, and growing me- through your blog this year- THAT is not an easy task my friend- Happy 2009 and may it be the most prosperous year of your life--doug

[Joan Schramm]

Keep things simple and clear. Best advice I've heard yet for 2009.

Here's to deeper simplicity and more abundance in the things that really matter!

Happy New Year, and thank you

[Brent MacKinnon]

Your post really touched me Valeria. I'm launching my first ever consultancy business that provides support, training and use of social media tools for the non profit and educational sectors. I'm deluged with so many start up details, your suggestion to simplify really resonated with me. I also liked your "find meaning by giving and carry yourself gracefully and professionally". I'm new to your blog but will be and avid reader in 2009.
Thanks,
Brent

[Valeria Maltoni]

@John - yes, you'd probably resonate with this message, given the work you do. Thank you for the well wishes. Ditto, I look forward to reading more about your success.

@Doug - thank you for the well wishes and the kind words. I like prosperous, to me it includes healthful. Same to you tenfold.

@Joan - focusing on what we want is key. It makes the decisions on where we spend energy easier to make. Welcome to the conversation.

@Brent - It is a challenge not to let ourselves go down rabbit holes. I'm glad the post inspired you. A brindisi (Italian for toast) to your success.

[Derrick Kwa]

Well said Valeria. =). And this is really a huge encouragement, that I needed.

On another note, it seems like a general trend I'm seeing now is that 2009 is going to really be the year for action - for making things happen, instead of just talking about them.

I just hope that I can step up to the challenge myself.

[Michael E. Rubin]

Valeria,

This list is going up on my office wall so I can be reminded everyday. Brava for sharing your wonderful wisdom.

Cheers,
Michael

[Ellen Weber]

How refreshing Valeria - to look at your keen insights here! Thanks! I especially liked your notion of mistakes that become stepping stones to better places, finer lessons, and improved situations!

Why would you suggest this happens readily for some and not so for others - who take setbacks with much more difficulty?

Happy 2009 - cannot wait to see what the year offers!

[Katybeth]

Your post's, often slow me down a bit and bring a certain peace. I "prefer to be kind, over right." think I will hold onto that one.

Happy New Year.

[Ricardo Bueno]

Perform the act of triage. Look at what needs doing and prioritize; focusing on the activities that will have the most positive impact whilst eliminating the ones that have the least.

This year I'm going to focus on being helpful and executing (ideas are nothing more than wasted thoughts if I don't find ways to execute them and share them with the world. Don't you think?).

But anyway, here's to a great 2009 Valeria! Thanks for all of the great, quality content!

[Carolyn Ann]

Thou Art but Grace
---
May thy (continue to) be as graceful
as the swallow
silhouetted agin' a pretty eve
and as majestic
as the hawk
seeking a prey
May thy days bring wonder
enchantment
and joy

And may all the gods in thy heavens
bless thee
entertain thee
(for what else would be their pleasure?)
and guard thee and thine

And may yon forthcoming twelve-month
be wondr's and a delight!

Continue thy grace
(I beseech thee!)
but "professional" be not be!
That is a scourge! (I say!)
A betrayer of thyself
and a cover for darkness
that has no place
over thee!

Thou art but grace!
ye need only be that
My Lady (I espouse,
with a bow,
and a curtsy, too!)
My Gentlewoman,
My Epistlarian (sorry)
to inform us
of what should be!

:-) Carolyn Ann

[Valeria Maltoni]

@Derrick - making things happen does not need to be complicated. Maybe decide there are three things you want to accomplish every day. That's your to-do list. The rest is to be.

@Michael - yes, I am printing a copy for my offices as well. It will be a good reminder.

@Ellen - part of it could be the sense of confidence we carry within. Some of us are much harder on ourselves than anyone else could ever be. It pays off to ask yourself whether the self-doubt is justified or to overcome the sense of fear of new things. We're more human for it.

@Katybeth - thank you for the feedback and happy new year to you.

@Ricardo - being helpful works. You probably know that getting ideas done is my preference - that's also why I give so many away here.

@Carolyn Ann - did you write that? Wow!

[Carolyn Ann]

Erm, yes. I did. I was in a poetic mood, I guess. I'd just finished "I live among the dead" (it's an affirming bit of work, despite the title!) and then I wrote that one. I was feeling quite positive, early this morning!

No one else participated (the cats were asleep, mostly), no references made to other poems, I didn't even crack open that rarely-used thesaurus of mine! Although my spell-checker did object to a word or two. The one in Firefox, being inadequate at best of times, is direly confused by poetry.

I hoped you would like it. It's for you. :-)

Carolyn Ann

[Valeria Maltoni]

Poetry was my first love with writing - I was six when I composed 4 perfect poems on my mother's Olivetti typewriter.

It's beautiful, thank you. I cracked a smile at the "sorry" - it's so you!

[Leo Saraceni]

One of the best new year themed posts I've read in a long time.

Valeria, you've just won a new reader. I appreciate easier approaches when there's nothing left to do but freak out; and I guide my actions towards achieving more by focusing on purposeful, meaningful efforts.

I took the liberty of re-posting this on my blog, I think my readers will appreciate it.

Thank you!

[Mario Sanchez Carrion]

Hi Valeria:

You are spot on in this post. I will print it and have it handy to re-read when things seem to get "complicated".

All the best in 2009 and thank you.

Mario.

[seosoeasy]

Hey it was an excellent posts and wish you a belated prosperous new year 2009.I really enjoyed and at the same time grown by reading all your posts in last year.Expecting the same from you in this year 2009.Thank you.