embrace optimism

By Kimberly S. Reed

PUT ADVERSITY IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR

Yet despite these tumultuous events, some people have remained remarkably positive on the future of the nation. They thrive in a world of differences, and seem be genuinely welcoming to new ways of life and having deeply embraced technology, the virtual workplace and feel empowered about using these new tools to leveling up their optimism in 2022.

And some people in better shape than others – people are looking at the New Year as just the 5th quarter of 2021 and jumping right back into the same old routine isn’t going to happen with a simple snap of our fingers, but that doesn’t have to be the case. The key is to adopt a positive mindset – OPTIMISM! Being optimistic doesn’t simply meaning looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. If anything, crisis events such as a global pandemic reminding us that life is not always a bowl of good home made ice cream or your favorite dessert. And there’s no need to walk around spewing empty platitudes, especially if you don’t mean or believe them. No, optimism encompasses much more than this. Chiefly, optimism is about mastering a mindset that acknowledges that adversity is nearly always just a temporary setback. Let me repeat that: a temporary setback. Too often in life, and especially after the year we’ve just had, it’s easy to dwell on adversity. But that’s exactly what we need to avoid doing and the lessons of 2020 and 2021 are our greatest blessings. There is power is our survival.

The most successful optimists never forget what they have to be thankful for. While striving to reach our goals and achieve more, it’s important to feel grateful for what we have in the present. Otherwise, we cultivate dissatisfaction alongside ambition. Personally, I keep a gratitude notebook where I record at least 3-5 things that I’m grateful for at the very start of my day. It helps me approach each morning with a positive frame of mind and gives me comfort knowing that I have a fantastic foundation to build upon every day–no matter what may happen. When adversity is your teacher, there are unique superpowers you have from your experiences.

optimistsalwayswin.com

BE THE SAME IN THE NEW YEAR AS YOU WERE IN

2021

Why does a resolution have to force you to be different? Instead of striving to do something you’ve never done before, like writing a book, crossing an item of your bucket list, repeat patterns that worked well for you in 2022. Keep the finish line close. The list you should make for January 2022 is not a list of “ I never will do or never have done, but rather a list of I’ve dones’, areas you have seen progress in your life that you want to build upon.

LOOK TO YOUR STRENGTHS FROM 2021 TO

GUIDE YOU FORWARD

I have to say yes, yes to this one! To those of you who are optimists, like me, who push ourselves to exhaustion to be better every single day and are WAY too hard on ourselves when you don’t hit your own irrationally high standards and who do not understand that perfection is an illusion. From crash and burnville’, let me say this: STOP IT!

ENVISION YOUR BEST POSSIBLE

Imagine your life in 12-24 months — what would it look like? How would it feel? Now sit down and journal about it: once a week, for 5 to six minutes, for one or two months. Spend each time you write focusing on your – BEST possible self – in a single domain, such as family, career, romance or health.

Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, things that are not your business, issues of the past, negativity or things you cannot control. AND, please stop staying connected to people whom one reinforce your dysfunction and the past! To have a future that flourishes, you need to know how to handle adversity. While it might seem easy to blame others, you won’t feel good about yourself and that person won’t believe that you’re in this together. Our society promotes blaming other people and pointing fingers when something goes wrong. The most successful people I know don’t blame anyone, not even themselves. When something goes wrong, they look at the situation objectively and see where they could have done something differently. They use their setbacks as a learning process for being the best version of themselves.

So many of the things that fill up our resolutions will not make this a happier year. Being grateful daily for the past and present – Gratitude is a game changer and changes the trajectory of your life. Journal about positive experiences and successes in your life, and understand that we cannot LEARN without lessons. Make someone else’s 2022 better through acts of kindness. Being resolved to be happy and kind today, focusing on your strengths and giving yourself a break are the keys to your best 2022 ever!

I want you to live life without your brakes on and with a whole lotta’ zest!

Kimberly S. Reed is the Chief Transformational Officer, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Strategist at Reed Development Group, and best-selling author of Optimists Always Win! Moving From Defeat to Life’s C-Suite.

About Kimberly S. Reed, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Executive Strategist, Best-Selling Author, Top Rated International Speaker and Corporate Trainer

An award winning international speaker, author, corporate trainer and diversity, equality and inclusion executive, nationally recognized thought leader, expert, strategist and advisor to some of the world’s most influential organizations in global professional services, health care, financial services, consumer products and pharmaceutical industries. A seasoned leader in transforming organizations into highperforming enterprises and challenging leaders to live without limits, with more than 20 years’ of HR, talent acquisition and diversity & inclusion experience, successfully turning around troubled diversity practices by designing, building, leading and shaping high-performing cultures at global organizations with robust strategies, global employee development programs and enterprisewide initiatives that have increased revenue

growth and organizational brand eminence. I want you to live life without your brakes on and with a whole lotta’ zest!

Kimberly S. Reed, M.Ed., CDE, The Corporatepreneur ™ Chief Transformational Officer of the Reed Development Group, a cutting-edge multi-disciplined Diversity, Equality and Inclusion solutions firm accelerating the future of organizational multicultural evolution and growth though innovation, development and advocacy, who has developed a distinguished reputation as having one of the most distinct and powerful voices on the lecture circuit transforming the thinking of thousands.

Kimberly’s infectious energy, lioness tone and inspiring sincerity engages audiences on topics ranging from the innovation and evolution of diversity, equality and inclusion, personal, professional and leadership development, entrepreneurship to teaching us Optimists Always Win! – Moving from Defeat to Life’s C-Suite, Kimberly’s highly anticipated book release on January 15, 2021 (Simon Schuster/HCI Communications) was a on a best seller list in its first week. All book proceeds are being donated to two cancer charities.

Kimberly is a regular speaker and lecturer at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania’s LEAD Program, Howard University School of Business, Executive MBA/ Education Programs and a top rated speaker at leading global professional conferences.

With more than 20 years’ of HR, talent acquisition and diversity, equality & inclusion experience, successfully turning around diversity practices by designing, building, leading and shaping high-performing cultures at global organizations with robust strategies and global employee development programs that have increased revenue growth and organizational brand eminence.

Kimberly’s entrepreneurial ventures, a senior partner at the Ascendant Group specializes in executive branding and a founding member of the Forbes Agency Council for PR and Advertising. With an award winning team across company cultures, brand design, and PR related work. The company has a clientele that has ranged from multibilliondollar company CEOs and executives and fast growth entrepreneurs.

In December 2020, Kaleidoscope Diversity is the result of a unique strategic alliance between McConnell & Jones LLP and Reed Development Group, which was developed for companies who want to harness the power of an engaged, diverse workforce and diverse supply chain in today’s hyper-competitive global marketplace in the capabilities of one solutions provider. We develop a tailored approach to innovative, high impact virtual training and strategic sourcing initiatives, allowing our clients to address internal and external issues that can

hinder an organization’s full potential with its workforce and suppliers.

Kimberly served on several professional and non-for-profit boards as a member, executive council member and chair. Kimberly is the Vice-Chair, Leadership Council of the American Cancer Society South Jersey/Philadelphia and a board member; Legacy of Hope provides emergency patient support to cancer patients in underserved diverse communities in the Philadelphia region. She is a Founding Advisory Committee Member of the University of Pennsylvania and DiverseForce Board Governance Training Program that provides leadership training for leaders of color who want to achieve greater effectiveness as organizational leaders while making a social impact as board members. She is also a member of The Links, Inc., one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of accomplished, dedicated African American Women who are active in their communities

and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated with over 300, 000 members globally.

Kimberly has been featured on 6ABC, NBC, ShondaLand Digital, Huffington Post Business, Thrive Global (contributor), The Journal of American Management Association, Charisma Magazine, Essence Magazine, HR.com, iHeartMedia, FOX News and Radio One, and its subsidiaries for her leadership in diversity, and advocacy for Women and minorities in leadership, business and entrepreneurship and faith. She has earned numerous awards, periodical cover features and has been recognized repeatedly by such organizations as the National Urban League, American Express, national publications and the City of Philadelphia for her leadership.

Kimberly was named one of the Minority Business Leader’s Award honorees, Philadelphia Business Journal and was appointed to the CEO Access Network, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and the 2018 Women of Excellence: Game Changer Award, South Jersey magazine. Kimberly was inducted to the West Chester University Legacy of Leadership Class. The university honors alumni who has demonstrated service to the institution through student leadership and continue to utilize those leadership skills in their lives today. Kimberly also received the prestigious 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Salute to Greatness Award: Ambassador Global Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, in addition to the 2020 Game Changer: Community Service Award for Entrepreneurship, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Impact. She was one of the Top 28 Black Leaders for their impact on diversity & inclusion, Color Magazine and honoree, the 2021 Philly Power Women.

Kimberly earned her B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and Public

Administration from Westchester University. Kimberly also received her certification in Global Organizational Leadership, Human Resource Management, Temple Fox School of Business. Kimberly also earned her Masters of Education, Adult Organizational Development and Public Policy, and received certifications in Training and Development and Communication and Conflict from Temple University.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Reed Development Group is a cutting-edge multidisciplined Diversity, Equality and Inclusion solutions firm accelerating the future of an organization’s multicultural evolution and growth through innovation, development and advocacy. We specialize in customized results-oriented strategies that are designed to educate, revitalize, empower and innovate. As a result, we are uniquely positioned to help global organizations to achieve their major strategic, diversity and revenue priorities.