As I look back at my conversations with many of you this year, it goes as no surprise that 2020 was extremely challenging on many different levels. Life is hard enough as is, but you throw in a pandemic, lockdowns, political election, 24/7 news, no sports, etc… and you take what is inherently busy and crazy and make it such an insane year, it’s still hard to believe it happened. With all of the negativity in the world and especially in the media, it is difficult to remain positive.
Instead of focusing on the negatives, or the usual financial topics like economic data, stocks, vaccines, asset allocation etc… I wanted to use my year end note to pass along a book/idea that helped me cut through the negative noise and helped me become a much happier and optimistic person.
The book is “How Full is Your Bucket” by Tom Rath and Donald Clifton. For my non-readers, It’s under 100 pages with very big print! I encourage everyone to pick it up this week and if you’d like, respond to this email and I will personally send you a copy.
Without spoiling too much, the book highlights the incredible impact being positive can have on both your individual happiness and success, and also everyone you come in contact with. On the flip side, it also brings attention to the danger of being a negative person. This was the real motivator for me. Everyone knows a person that just sucks the life out of a room, but until I read this book, I didn’t realize the enormous affect it actually has on health, relationships, personal and professional success, amongst many other things. One of my favorite points in the book discusses a study that proved negative emotions can actually take more years off your life than smoking. The authors do a fantastic job at giving you the data to back their points up as well as actionable ideas on how to move forward as a more positive person.
In closing, with 2021 just around the corner we have plenty to be thankful for and positive about. If for no other reason… no one likes to be around negative people. It’s not good for them and it’s not good for you (unless my Steelers are losing, then everyone’s allowed to be negative).
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can help in any way, and If you have any interest in reading this book, I’d be happy to send you a copy to kick off 2021 right.