Letter from the Editor

Wow, what a year! Rather than trying to recap the craziness of 2020, I prefer to focus on what I have learned and how I can prepare for the future.

I recently read a quote from Tom Rath, author of Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Contribute To The World, that I believe can make us all better during 2021. He said, “A growing body of evidence suggests that the single greatest driver of both achievement and well-being is understanding how your daily efforts enhance the lives of others.” Rath went on to suggest that the definition of a meaningful life included “connecting and contributing to something beyond the self.”

So how can we achieve this “connecting and contributing” when we can’t do what we are used to doing? The answer is simple—at least in writing; we do things differently. How do we do things differently? In my observation, there are two basic incentives for change:

• We can have it mandated or forced on us (which seemed to be the choice in 2020). • We can choose to change.

The former change method usually comes with push back while the latter change method usually comes with growth and improvement.

How do we choose to change? First, it starts with the desire to change. Then, decide what it is you want to change. What is the outcome you intend to achieve? In this case, the desired outcome would be to live a more meaningful life by “connecting and contributing to something beyond the self.”

This next step toward change is where a lot of people get stuck, especially since 2020 has turned everything upside down. Most people—myself included—feel more confident when they know exactly what to do and how to do it. In the past, we could go visit a sick neighbor or volunteer for a service activity. There were always “things” that we could do, but now some of those “things” have become off-limits.

These limitations have moved us into unfamiliar territory. What now? Here’s a little secret I learned from a mentor of mine. She said, “Stop trying to find the answers that will solve your problems. Instead, start asking better questions that will lead you to new solutions.”

This is my challenge to you. Start asking yourself better questions, and then diligently seek for the new answers. You might start with, “How can I connect with someone more meaningfully this year during these current circumstances?” Start asking “how questions” that don’t seem to have any immediate answers, and see what thoughts come into your mind as you ponder on those questions.

You can apply this same trick when reading the articles in this month’s issue by asking yourself how you can be better and/or make others better by what you have just read. I look forward to hearing about your results.

Be well, be happy, and let’s all do our part to make this year great!

Brendan Dalley Editor