• My new book, The Hidden Leader is officially ready for release on February 4^th 2015.  Pre-orders are available starting today! Tom Peters, author of In Search of Excellence called it "A must read".
   
• Soundview Executive Book Summaries has selected The Hidden Leader as its featured summary for February and I'll be speaking on a 45-minute webinar they are hosting next month. If you'd like to attend the live event contact me by responding to this email and I'll reserve a spot for you.

There is something about a new year, a fresh start, and a chance to do something different, or better. It is tabula rasa, the Latin phrase for blank slate. Or as we used to say when I was a kid and things didn't go exactly as we hoped a "do-over". What is often most appealing about it, is hope. The hope is that we can do something to create some positive and intentional change to improve the outcome from the last time. Last round. Last year. And we can.

But there is rarely such thing as a blank slate because we have the knowledge and experience of what has worked and what doesn't. Unlike the origination of the term, where the wax pads used for notes by the Romans could be heated, smoothed over, and used again as fresh and new, we really aren't tabula rasa. We can use that as an advantage.

Whether it is, a new strategy, approach, or objective, or even a different direction, it is useful and productive to harness the power of that "start again from the beginning" (or new beginning) energy. But also combine it with an understanding of lessons we have learned along the way. In most of my work helping organizations to grow, it is precisely that combination that precipitates exceptional results. It is what enables you to create momentum toward goals and create the accountability needed to achieve them. 

A slice of life balance           

• Few of the leaders I work with get enough downtime or needed relaxation during the holidays, even when they've truly enjoyed them. Plan a day off, or even a half-day, during the workweek in January, to take off specifically to do something that is recharging for you. Energy needs to be replenished.