2017 taught me patience.

I wrote my first integrity report as a way to set higher standards for myself. My three words helped, too.

The biggest life lesson I learned in 2017 was to:

Focus on the process, not the outcome.

At this time of year, it can be tempting to write down goals that only focus on the end result. For example, “I want to read 27 books by December 31st, 2018”. This approach, however, fails to change our behaviour.         

Let’s shift our attention from end results to tiny habits instead.

“I’m always going to have a book in my bag” or “I’m going to visit the library at the start of each month.” These simple habits are far more effective and fun in the long run.

Here are my top picks for 2017. I hope these articles will inspire you to take action and gain momentum.

Discover the Hidden Power of Beliefs

To make any meaningful change, you need to start believing new things about yourself.

This pattern became obvious to me as I looked back on my own growth from previous years.

Design the Life You Want

I could see the question coming, just by looking on her face.

“Do you really want to major in creative writing?” my mother asked, not trying to hide her skepticism.

“How exactly will you get a job from doing that?”

What Effective Growth Looks Like

Personal growth is one of those “soft” topics.

There’s a lot of BS out there, praising wish-washy thinking mixed with shortcuts and fluff. This pisses me off. Because we lose sight of ancient wisdom.

Effective growth is ultimately about serving a mission larger than yourself.

How to Develop a Learning Lifestyle

Major disruption lies ahead in virtually every industry. It’s scary and exciting at the same time.

The average career consists of 80,000 hours. That gives you plenty of time to work on some of the most urgent global issues facing our generation.

What problem will you work on? How can you contribute? You may think to yourself:

I don’t know what I can do.

I’m here to tell you can do a lot more than you think. All you need is a mindshift. 

Is talent a blessing or a curse?

Imagine two ten-year-olds playing for an all star football team.

One player got picked because of his talent. Coaches praised him for his speed, and they saw huge potential in him.

The other player loved the game and worked harder than everyone else. The coaches admired his efforts.

Can you guess who plays for a top European football club today?

Hint: it isn’t me….

Why You Must Protect Your Self-Esteem

Let’s put the cards on the table: There are evil trolls out there.

Especially on the internet. And they say a lot of stupid, hurtful things.

Does that mean you have to listen? Not really. Choose which feedback is important to you.

Whose opinion do you value, and why?

Work Smarter, Not Harder

How many times have you told yourself:

I need to try harder.

You stay up late to finish the project, you force yourself to go to the gym, but willpower alone isn’t enough to drive positive change.

In fact, trying harder is not always the best solution. Working smarter, however, can create long-term results.

My First Remarkable Conversation with a Woebot

Have you spoken to a robot yet?

I have. And it’s been quite remarkable.

His name is Woebot and he’s the result of a Stanford University study.

For the past two weeks, this charming fellow has checked in on me every day. So far, our conversations have been… interesting.

Are You a Life Enthusiast? Here Are 15 Books You Need to Read

Average people lead average lives. You, I’m guessing, don’t want to be average.

You want to be great. You believe you can be remarkable. 

That means you need to take in extraordinary ideas and act on them… without even thinking about it… day in and day out.

The Real Value of Money

When I was a kid, I thought rich people were greedy.

Needless to say, my beliefs about money have changed since then.

Money is a neutral resource, which reflects the owner’s priorities. It is not value itself.

Why Dogs Make Us Happier

Our family dog, Aussie, turned one this summer.

We got him a cake, a balloon, and a new toy. Needless to say, he was very pleased and so were we.

I’ve become a happier person since we got our puppy. Here are three powerful life lessons I’ve learned from my dog in the past year.

How to Change Your Habits

As you may know, I am obsessed with habits. And for good reason.

The right habits can help you a live happier and healthier life.

But habits are sneaky. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between what’s “good” and “bad” for you. Only you can decide that.

What are some of your favourites?

Did you love any post (or posts) I didn’t get to mention here? What would you like to see more of in 2018?

Let me know in the comments below.