The last couple of weeks have proved (as always!) to be a great time to reflect on the last 12 months and begin preparing for the next 12.

2013 was action-packed to say the least: new adventures experienced, inspirational individuals who have had an incredible impact on my life and the many important lessons learnt, which have allowed me to grow as an individual.

And it is this last part that I want to share with you, as you begin to focus on getting your 2014 off to the best possible start 🙂

So here we go. My 35 top lessons of 2013:

When you really want something, you will find a way to get it. Make time to explore more of the world. You will broaden your mind and learn more about yourself in the process. Meditation does wonders for your ability to focus and levels of happiness. Begin each day like this and you will notice its impact pretty quickly. Never be afraid to ask. You never know if it is possible until you do. Daily reflection of gratitude will help you appreciate what you have and help cultivate a positive mindset. Be proud of who you are. We are all born differently for a reason. There is a lot you can learn from kids. Make time to meet new people. Even if it is striking up a conversation with a stranger on the train or plane. Some may end up being your friends for life or provide you with that spark of inspiration. There is genius inside all of us. So don’t waste your talents. Life is already short enough as it is! You become more like the people you hang out with. You have to put yourself ‘out there’ to make things happen. Failure is part of the journey to success. Learn from it, but do not let them stop you as they can often be a blessing in disguise. Mistakes are necessary for you to grow, gain powerful insights and expand your comfort zone. Remember, the journey is more important than the destination! Focus on the present; it is the only thing that is actually real! Take care of this first and the art of achieving what you want in life becomes significantly easier. Your daily habits determine who you become. Be aware of the standards you live by to keep you on track to where you want to be. The secret to success is giving. Invest in experiences and relationships, not things. With the January sales starting soon, it is important to remember that getting a discount on something you do not need, is not saving money! A commitment to embracing a healthy lifestyle and keeping fit through regular exercise does wonders for other areas of your life. Only when you accept full responsibility for where you are today in all areas of your life, can you begin to change your current situation. The key to a successful relationship is spending quality time with your significant other. Do not let other things get in the way (technology, ‘being busy’, TV, etc). Waking up earlier after a good night’s sleep will make you incredibly more productive. It is the perfect opportunity to set a positive tone for the day. The mind is the most powerful resource we have. Feed it (regular reading will cause your creativity to explode!) and develop it. Richer experiences, not money or possessions, help you become happier. Massive action can only be taken when you believe the outcome is possible. Happiness is a feeling that is ultimately experienced from the inside out, coming from your own actions and habits. Once you understand the inside-out nature of how things really work, you begin to see the world through new eyes. Actions speak louder than words. Watch less TV, listen more to music. Writing things down the ‘old-fashioned way’ (pen and paper!) gives the mind a disciplined means of expression. Make sure to carry a small notepad and pen wherever you go to capture those great ideas, thoughts and things to follow up on. Do not stop growing. Today’s excellence is tomorrow’s mediocrity. So as 2014 begins, make a commitment to doing more things for the first time. You do not get to the top alone. Be generous and avoid making decisions based on a “what is in it for me?” mentality. There has to be an element of fun in whatever you are doing. If not, it will feel like a chore. Nothing happens unless you begin taking action. Inspiring others is an incredibly rewarding experience. Gaining perspective will help you to appreciate others and see situations more clearly than before. Entertainment has the power to inspire. Check out the film Searching for Sugarman as well as the 30min ‘Making Of’ on the DVD to see what I mean! Drink more water, eat less carbs.

I hope that these help to provide you with some useful insights and things to think about as you welcome in 2014.

I would love to hear your comments on the above, as well as the lessons you have learnt in 2013. Post your thoughts below and I look forward to joining the conversation.

In the meantime, here’s to making 2014 your best year yet!