new year...new priorities

I love using the new year as a springboard for new priorities.  Just as I have to start diets on Mondays, I need to create new priorities at the beginning of each year.  What I find that I have to do to make this happen is to clear out and de-clutter my life.  This year more than ever, I am in a “less-is-more” mindset that is creating space for me to have new goals.

In December, I held my first “Tradition Sharing” brunch for my kids, nieces and nephews.  I wanted to clean out years of collections and yet wanted these special items to be enjoyed by the people I love most.  Two weeks before Christmas, our breakfast room was filled with multi-seasonal decorations, artwork, furniture and home accessories.  To minimize the competition – a lottery system was used.  By the end of the day, everyone had the things they wanted and I had  great pleasure in seeing them enjoy so many things that I had loved.

Next, I resigned my positions on the Board of the Mission Valley YMCA where I had served for the past 20 years and on the Board of the DMC Network  where I had served as President, Membership Chair and Board Member for more than 10 years.  I believe that Boards should be vibrant, evolving organizations and that there is great value to a balance of experience and new talent. I wanted to make room for new people – and I wanted to make room in my life for new priorities. The Network won’t have to make many adjustments as Trevor (my son and owner of TMM OC/LA) joined the Board.

So – what now? I want to learn a thousand new things – starting with my iPad. I want to take workshops at the Apple store and get comfortable with all that it can do. I want to go to Machu Picchu this year – I want to be the best wife, Mom and Yiayia I can be. It all takes time. And I want to be healthy and able to continue contributing to our company, our industry and my friends.

New Year – new priorities – new learning opportunities. I am excited. Hope you are too!