What Impact has #YourBestDecade (YBD) left on your life?
As I read YBD I was very purposeful in doing so in a way where I could silence the noise of life and listen to the words and concepts that Ryan explores in his writing. It took me a full year to read YBD because life has be extra noisy and we need to be in the moment to be truly reflective and identify where we need to grow as individuals.
Why did I have to do this? Because I knew that there were going to be things in here that would stop me where I stood and have me reflect on my current trajectory. YBD has had the impact of affirming that I have been making the right choices and challenging others that I have made as I have made some major decisions that have a huge impact on my professional, personal and my family life. To be successful we need to be challenged to look critically at our actions and intentions, and that is what YBD has done for me.
Which chapter most applied to you and why?
For me, the best chapter did not come until later in the book where becoming the hungriest person in the room is a critical step towards developing a successful decade. For years I have taken the leadership approach of getting a feel of the room, finding the hungry people and empowering them to achieve their passion. This approach may have a time and place, but I found that my own passion and hunger were coming in second place. I felt that if I was not building up others, I was not doing a service.
This chapter reminded me that it’s okay to put my interests in front and build something great with the support of others. Using the passion and hunger that I have for quality education and learning for all, and being able to build supports where others can be part of the process as they apply their hunger is huge. Be hungry, but be a leader that empowers!
What most excites you about living out YBD?
The thing that excites me the most about my best decade (MBD), is living outside of my comfort zone. I love it here. It has brought me so much experience and success that would not have happened if I stayed in my comfort zone.
If you were to ask me a few years ago if I was happy, I would have said yes because I was comfortable where I was at. Now, I am constantly pushed to be out of my comfort zone and embrace a world often filled with unknowns. If it was not for the unknown, I do not think that I would already by living out MBD right now!
If you could describe this book to someone in three words what would you say?
Thisbookneedstobeonyourdesk and embraceit! (Don’t spell check that...just read it slowly)
What is one major takeaway you have from the book?
Everyone’s best decade will look different. My destination is different from yours, but we might take the same mode of transportation to get there.
When you envision living out YBD, what does it look like?
Freedom.
Freedom to work and develop the initiatives I feel with improve and benefit others. The freedom to be critical and not considered cynical. The freedom to spend time with my family and not have to spend time working for someone else.
For everyone out there who hasn't read YBD yet, what would you say to them?
Below is a link to the book. If you want some insight on how to grow your potential, this is it.
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