Whether in our personal or business lives, there is power in being prepared. When we assess risks, develop scenarios and plan desired outcomes, we have a framework by which to accept things that are beyond our control and move forward from them, improving how we live our lives. Keeping a positive mindset with the support of our tribe can help us find the inner strength to trust in our resilience and turn obstacles into opportunities one step at a time.

Helping someone realize their potential and illuminating the path to reach that potential enables you to make a positive impact on the world that could never be possible as a single person. It is truly how you can make the most of your life.

Ever notice how hard it is to take a leap of faith when times are good? As opportunities present themselves, now never seems to be the “right” time to make a change. However, the stars will never fully align before you are called to make an important decision or take an important action. You must learn to discern for yourself what will keep you on the path of becoming the best version of yourself and using your gifts to positively impact the world.

All of us have it in us to muster up big goal discipline. Once you realize how much willpower you truly have over your habits and choices, you will no longer let emotions or impulses rule the roost. Instead, you will call up the strength to practice self-control, protect your progress and build momentum toward achieving your goal. When you learn to get out of your own way, the sky’s the limit.

Don’t allow takers with ulterior motives to dominate your time. It is nearly impossible to receive from a taker. Instead, invest your time on relationships that flow from the good intentions of both people. When both people want what’s best for the other and act accordingly, there is no room for feelings of imposition or indebtedness. There is only peace and gratitude.

When you commit to being punctual, you commit to showing up in your best state (goodbye adrenaline and stress!). You have time to think clearly and get ready for the task at hand. When you are consistently on time, it conveys you are organized and dependable, and you value everyone’s time, including your own. All of which boost your professional and personal image and credibility.

Our elders, related or not, have a special type of wisdom, groundedness and love that only come from living through all that life throws at us. Those who choose to share these gifts with the rest of us are a true blessing and should be celebrated.

Being open-minded means being receptive to the ideas and experiences of others. We all come from different backgrounds and have different work experiences. If we truly listen to one another, we can benefit from the lessons learned by others, especially when we find ourselves in similar circumstances.

There is unspoken peer pressure to respond quickly to “off” hour work calls and emails, as if to prove our dedication to the business. But what we don’t realize is how much this takes a toll on our personal relationships.

From checking your cell phone to scrolling on social media to people stopping by your office, there are so many pings, pop-ups and drop-ins vying for our attention in the office. The key to minimizing distractions at work is to recognize what is causing the distractions and find solutions to stop them from affecting you.

A great meal with family, friends or colleagues not only nourishes your body, it nourishes your spirit and sense of wellbeing. Whether it’s a communal meal in college, a business dinner, a date night, a casual meal with a friend, or a holiday get-together, sharing meals with others creates a sense of belonging and strengthens relationships and community.

When you and your team members actively listen, amazing things happen. Relationships strengthen, trust grows, progress and productivity increase and drama and emotional turmoil decrease, saving time, money and unnecessary aggravation.

Gain confidence in your ability to decipher kindness from people-pleasing; establish a healthy balance in your relationships; and act in the best interest of all, including yourself.

Despite our best efforts to focus and stay organized, we all fall prey to procrastination from time to time. Break the habit and deliver timely results by acknowledging you are procrastinating, asking yourself why and finding the right solution to counter it.

There is a deep satisfaction in knowing you can do anything you put your mind to once you’ve proven to yourself that you have what it takes to commit, commence and complete.

When your people are free from the preoccupation of self-doubt, anxiety and scarcity, the collective team will experience a high level of creativity, productivity, loyalty and inclusivity, and that’s when work becomes a form of human expression and connection, not just a paycheck.

When you find yourself doing the same things day in and day out, and you can’t keep track of what day it is anymore, it might be time to add some richer experiences to your calendar (maybe even some that are out of your comfort zone) and notice if your perception of time changes.

Whether you realize it or not, you have a personal brand. And the makeup of that personal brand is mainly attributed to how you speak about yourself, your experiences and other people. It’s never too late to enhance your personal brand with positive language. People will catch on quickly, and you will be amazed by how differently they respond to you.

When you adopt a gratitude mindset, you practice noticing the good in all things and simply noticing changes everything.

When you practice breaking through your comfort zone by doing smaller things that are uncomfortable often, over time you will open yourself to new possibilities. And, when the time comes to dive into something big, you’ll be confident in your ability to get through the fear, learn the necessary skills and reach new heights in work and life.