One of the many things I love about the holidays is the opportunity to stop and reflect on the things that matter. This is a great time to ask myself a number of important questions such as:
What happened? What did I accomplish? What did I do right? What could I have done better? What did I learn? What do I want to accomplish this year? Why?
During the holidays, I like to spend a few hours thinking about while sitting at my desk, relaxing with some music, taking long walks with my dogs or riding my bike.
This year, however, I’ve added something else to the mix. Inspired by a recent post from Jonathan Fields (author of Career Renegade), I’ve made some time to watch a series of inspirational and insightful videos.
These videos (some of which Jonathan shared in his post and others which I’ve come across throughout the year) have not only helped set the mood for this time of reflection. They’ve also inspired me to strive for more.
To be more. To try harder. And to make a bigger difference in my freelance business, my family and my community.
In other words, to lead a wealthy life in every respect.
As you take some time over the next couple of weeks to think about the past year and the opportunities that lie ahead in 2010, why not use these videos to jump-start that exercise?
And if you’ve come across a video that inspires you to be more and do more… why not share with us? Simply include the link in your comment, along with a note about what makes the message special.
Hope 2010 is your best year ever!
Entrepreneurs (and Freelancers!) Can Change the World
There’s no question: Freelancers ARE entrepreneurs. We’re driven. We take risks. We innovate. We create and add value. We see possibility where others see obstacles. And we help businesses grow by giving them the flexibility they need to become more agile and competitive.
At a time when entrepreneurship is being shunned by so many, this moving video sets the record straight in a beautiful and uplifting way.
Thank God for freelancers and solo professionals!
It’s Not How Good You Are. It’s HOW You Communicate It.
More than ever, I’m convinced that long-term freelance success has more to do with how well and consistently you promote your services than with other factors many of us think matter more (skills, years of experience, awards won, etc.)
Smart, effective and steady self-promotion will continue to be paramount in 2010, and this video stresses this point much better than I could. You’ll get goose bumps at the end!
When Life Gives You Lemons…Make Some Lemonade
Yes, the economy sucks! But rather than bitch and moan about it, why not look for the hidden opportunities that lie within?
Fact is, regardless of what hand you’ve been dealt, you have a choice. And this video is a fantastic example of how some creative professionals have chosen to take full advantage of what at first seemed to be a very unfortunate situation. Must watch!
The Difference Between Freelance Success and Mediocrity
This video explains why some freelancers (and anyone else, really) succeed beyond belief while others never quite get there. I’ve watched this video 10 times and I still get chills.
What will you do this year to get to 212?
Welcome Failure!
Is freelancing hard? Is having your own business tough? Is it difficult to achieve and sustain a high level of performance?
You bet it is! And thank God for that. Because if it were easy, we’d all grow weak and whither away at the first sign of trouble.
Laugh, Learn and Cry Every Day
Jimmy V’s moving speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards, given just a few weeks before he lost his battle with cancer. Great advice from an amazing guy who knew how to live!
Never Lose Sight of What Really Matters
This video had me crying like a baby within 30 seconds (OMG I’m crying right now just writing about it!). Personally, this is an important reminder of how precious my son is. How blessed I am to be his dad. And how important it is to enjoy every moment — and to be there in the moment, every time!
God bless our soldiers and their families. May they soon all return home safely.
A Breath of Fresh Air in Our Negative World
Singer Susan Boyle has to be one of the biggest stories of the year. At a time when so many people are focusing so much of their energy and attention on what’s wrong in the world, Boyle’s astonishing performance was a breath of fresh air. She reminded us that there’s beauty everywhere, and often where we least expect it.
Her authenticity, beautiful soul, magical voice and vibrant personality are a great wake-up call — one we all needed this year.
Take Time to See and Appreciate the Beauty Around You
While we’re on the subject of beauty, this scene from the movie American Beauty is one of my favorite movie scenes ever. Great reminder that we need to take time to fully appreciate the moment. To be thankful for being part of this wonderful adventure called “life.”
Where Does Creativity Come From?
This year, I was under great pressure to produce some top-notch material for our book, for this blog and for my clients. I’ve always pushed myself to produce great stuff. But a number of tight deadlines recently put my creativity to the test. At first, I thought I’d crumble under the tight deadlines. After all, creative ideas don’t just appear on command. Right?
Wrong. Some of my best ideas (and some of my best writing) came to me this year, even while I was under great pressure. I had no idea what I did to deserve them. Until I watched this amazing video from Elizabeth Gilbert.
Commitment, Perseverance and Unconditional Love.
Commitment, perseverance and unconditional love. The video says it all. (By the way, I wonder what the world would be like if the evening news focused all of their time and energy on stories like this one…because that’s what we wanted to see.)
How Tall Will a Tree Grow?
The late Jim Rohn once said, “Every life form seems to strive to its maximum except human beings. How tall will a tree grow? As tall as it possibly can. Human beings, on the other hand, have been given the dignity of choice. You can choose to be all or you can choose to be less. Why not stretch up to the full measure of the challenge and see what all you can do?”
So true!
You know what really motivates me to do my very best in every area of life? Fear of regret. The thought that one day, I’ll regret not having tried harder. Not doing everything I could have done. Not “growing” as tall as I could have grown.
Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture is a great reminder of this. It motivates me to go for the gold in everything I do. Because when it’s my turn to look back, I want to be incredibly proud…and at peace.
Again, feel free to add your comments or share your most inspirational videos. I’d love to hear from you!
Flickr photo courtesy of The U.S. Army
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Some of these were truly inspirational, motivational and down right moving. Thanks for posting them.
Good stuff Ed!
Thanks for the comments, gents. Glad you enjoyed these. Happy New Year!
Thanks for compiling and sharing these, Ed. I really appreciate it. Will certainly make time to watch these.
I was supposed to be working on a logo today but these were too good and I had to keep watching.
Onward and upward for the New Year!
Thank you!
Ed, my good friend.
I enjoyed watching and in most cases re-watching these inspirational messages.
It was great to see last evening and here is to a superb 2010.
Thank you for taking the time to compile these inspiring vids! Bravo!
Ed, Grant and Lexi – Thanks for your comments. Good to hear you enjoyed some of these as much as I did. I find myself watching more inspirational/educational videos in lieu of watching TV. Good for the mind, the heart and the soul!
As I sit here after watching these videos, I looked in the mirror and hated who I saw, but I also felt a deep desire, passion, whatever you want to call it to go out and make a difference. I now know that I can go out and raise one million dollars for my daughter’s rare chromosome disorder one small step at a time..
Thank you so much for relighting my spark!!
Bill – Thanks for sharing that with us! SO glad it sparked something inside you. Nothing is impossible. Go make it happen. The answers will come to you as you start taking action.