It is the end of one calendar year, and the beginning of another.

I use this time of year to reflect … not on what I want to achieve and do, but on the state of the world, and where humanity is at.  My personal review happens on my birthday, which is the end of my personal cycle and the start of the next.

So, as we approach the New Year I see news outlets promulgating about how this time of year is difficult for people, and forecasting and loneliness and depression will be at an all-time high.  Another high will be sales, as people buy the obligatory presents for people they’re not even sure that they like (OK, they know they don’t like them but it’s just not worth the backlash of not buying the presents!).

Our weather is unpredictable and volatile, with many people having just lost their homes and livelihoods to an array of natural disasters.  Our natural resources are being polluted and ripped from the ground at unprecedented rates, contributing to the extinction of hundreds of wildlife species.

On a positive note, more and more corruption, child abuse, abuse of power, and underhanded schemes are coming into mainstream awareness, and I am gratified to see this because good-hearted people have not been able to comprehend the depths of depravity and unconscionable acts some people can undertake.

I include myself in that category.  My heart has been bruised and dismayed as I have started to understand that not everyone in the world wants the best for others.  I’m not saying I’m a saint, or I’m perfect.  Far from it.  However, I do wake up each day asking myself what I can do to make the world a better place, and my measure of success is how many lives I have positively touched.

I am not a soldier, but I have a strong inner core.  I am not an environmentalist, but have an absolute love for nature.  I am not a parent, but adore children.  I am not a lawmaker, but understand that structure helps society function.

So, where then can I make the most meaningful contribution?

How can I help effect the most amount of positive change?

With my life purpose … to touch individual lives.  One by one, my role is to help support and empower those who are also endeavouring to live their truth and leave the world a better place than they found it.

I do this in many ways, and particularly through distilling complex information into meaningful, actionable tools and strategies that people can use to improve their lives and businesses.

I now feel it is time to introduce an additional way – through my personal voice.

This is probably the singlest, most confronting action I could take.

It’s ironic really.  For someone who earns their living standing in front of groups of people sharing techniques to increase their performance, or going into organisations to turn them around, or coaching high performers to take quantum leaps, people generally think that as I use my voice all the time it is a natural strength for me.

Strength it may be.  But it is easy to use it to express science and logic, because it is not my heart I am revealing.

I am inspired and heartened by the number of caring people now finding their voice.  They too, have similar concerns about our society, and we’re all in agreement that it is time for it to change.

It HAS to change.  As a species we can’t keep hurting each other and destroying what is beautiful about our world.

As with any new skill, I’m undoubtedly going to be clunky at first, and I also won’t always say things you agree with, but I hope you view my musings as a catalyst.

If we can start some new conversations then the world WILL change.  There IS power in new words, and fresh visions.

I invite you to speak your truth, as we reimagine and bring into being a world we would be delighted to live in.

What do YOU stand for?

What is stirring YOUR heart?

How can YOU make your best contribution?

The world NEEDS you.  Yes, YOU!
You MATTER!