We’ve all had our bad days at work. And sometimes, they’re so frustrating that we leave the office in a huff, swearing that we’ll type up our resignation letter the minute we reach our house.

However, something happens on the drive home; we start to replay the day’s events in our head and realize that maybe we should have approached things differently.

We spend so much time reading, studying, and pursuing success. We’re always on the move, chasing our dreams, eager not to get left behind. We aim to be good students and activate our learning in order to grow continuously.

The start of a new year always fills us with hope and promise. We convince ourselves that a new year means a “new me” and we claim the incoming year to be ours.

We start the new year strong, driven by the adrenaline of our New Year’s resolution that we’re taking command of our health, relationships, career, and finances. 

Broken crayons still colour.

Torn dollars still have value.

And people, no matter how much pain they’ve been through or feel forgotten by the world, still have a purpose. Your bad experiences don’t strip you of your worth. They don’t take away your right to dream and continue on your path. If anything, all life’s experiences, good and bad, add to your value. Because only a person who has been through it all, hit rock bottom and stood up again, and survived the worst of storms can rise from the ashes with life experiences that prove their value.

What comes before gratitude? Nothing. This is because gratitude is the precursor to everything. Without it, you can’t feel happiness. And without happiness, you cannot enjoy success.

Successful people didn’t become that way by throwing caution to the wind and leaving it up to pure luck whether they reach their goals or not.

No, it’s all about sticking to a routine.

Winning is not an action; it is a mindset.

Having a winning mindset means taking ownership of your own success and defining your own rules on how to achieve it. Winning is having the clear and distinct picture of what you wish to achieve in your head. You see every angle of it – from the path you must take you get there to the people who will support you along the way and even the potential setbacks that you need to overcome.

We’ve all doubted ourselves. We compare ourselves to others. We seek perfection yet don’t take risks out of fear of failure. We settle for less because we think that’s what we deserve. No, we don’t directly say, “Self, you’re only worthy of less.” However, our actions or the lack of activation speaks that very thing to our inner spirit.

No one else has control over your growth and personal fulfilment but you. We were gifted with life but how we live it, value it, and make peace with it is entirely up to us.

How gracefully do you accept constructive criticism?

It’s not easy when people point out our flaws. It’s humiliating, a hit to the ego, and can even make us panic a bit. But if we want to grow both professionally and personally, feedback is something that we’re going to have to learn to take seriously and not personally.  

When you feel discouraged and defeated, it’s tempting just to give up and allow yourself to fall into a downward spiral. You’ve lost your motivation and may want to flee.

However, you’re stronger than that, and you know that this moment of despair is temporary. You’ll be reminded why you do what you do and how you knew that there would be days like this. 

We all have good days and bad days. And on the days when things are spiraling downward in our personal lives, it can be challenging to leave the drama behind and put on a brave face the moment we enter the workplace.

What is your definition of success?

Is it measurable in terms of wealth? Is it a corner office with your name on the door? Or is it having the ability to let go of negativity so that nothing holds you back? Embracing challenges and overcoming obstacles gracefully? Is success to achieve that elusive work-life balance?

What do you think the secret to success is? Is it being street-smart or book-smart?

Many will argue that you need both. And while technical understanding is a good foundation, it’s personality, grit, and creativity that take people to that next level.

When you think about it, life has been preparing you for this moment since you were a child – the moment where you have to stand in front of a crowd and deliver a compelling message that hopefully leads to a longer and more meaningful dialogue.