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Good Morning my friend,
I hope you are up by now, it’s 10 am (in my part of the world) on January 1st, 2019. It’s the fresh start of another 365 days. Besides all of the usual things we need to get used to doing, like writing 19 instead of 18, we also will take a look back at our 2018. In doing so, we will make a few commitments whether on paper, in an app, or just in our heads to doing things differently in 2019. It’s only natural. Mostly everyone you will see over the next couple weeks will ask, “What are your resolutions for this year?” We will him and haw and most of us will say either the standards, maybe one you actually want, or my favourite: The proud I-don’t-believe-in-them resolution. To me, that means you won’t be held accountable for anything, or your life is just fine the way it is.
I wanted to write this note for a few reasons. First and foremost, to say thank you for every person who was part of any of our programs (more than 180,000 of you this year). We appreciate you all. I may have not met all of you, but I appreciate you. Also, a big thank you to our team, both the full time crew and every seasonal staff we hire. I couldn’t do it without you!
Second, I put together my top 18 lessons of 2018. It’s at the end of the blog and very much worth the read!
Finally, I wanted to try expressing to you why I do what I do. It’s been a long 27 years: Very fulfilling, very challenging, and very (at times) overwhelming. I have watched more than 2,000 people come and go as employees of YLCC. I am not sure the actual number but it’s a lot. I have experienced a divorce and the loss of friends. I have experienced much tragedy including personal family losses and been part of 8 funerals of past YLCC campers or staff. I have also been a part of a dozen weddings of camp people! Through all of it, despite what some may think, I have done it for one reason; to make the world a better place by encouraging young people to realize that they are capable of doing more. To be a positive influence on each generation of new leaders.
I am proud of what we do. It’s not about ME. I don’t call the company Stu Saunders Inc. I am most excited when YLCC runs programs and I don’t have to be there. I hope that when I am gone, these programs and events continue to run and I am just a paragraph in their history. I sometimes joke that one of my goals is to receive the Order of Canada, not because of the pomp and circumstance, but because it’s a recognition of impact. I wouldn’t want a party if I got it. I don’t need people to pat me on the back. For me, that’s not what it’s about. It’s about, “Will the programs that our team creates achieve the goal of having a lasting impact?”
This year I was honoured to receive The Barry Sharpe Award. The organizing committee had to trick me into coming, I wouldn’t have come otherwise. Not because I don’t appreciate the honour, but because I don’t need to be cheered on. I do what I do because it’s my passion – My purpose.
I hope that you, if you’re still reading this, accept my sincere gratitude for your support in whatever capacity you have given it. I challenge you to make 2019 the best year YET. I just finished a podcast with Nick Foley all about how to plan out the best 2019. Have a listen!
Also, this could make a BIG impact for you; if you are really committed to making 2019 the best year EVER, we are launching our first adult leadership, entrepreneurship, health and wellness event. EPIC will take place in April in Vancouver, BC. Check out the website and fill out the application. If you get approved (less than 100 people will) use the code EPICHOLIDAY to save a ton off the registration price before January 15th! This event is going to be a GAME CHANGER!
Leadership is an ever changing “thing”. We adjust every year, every day. We hope that our 2019 is even better than our 2018. Our goal is to reach our quarter million humans mark by December 31, 2019!
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| | My top 18 lessons of 2018 (a.k.a How to make 2019 STUpendous)
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1. No one is perfect Simple to say, but hard to understand. Try not to hold people to an unrealistic level of perfection. We all make mistakes and we all have our own story. You never know what someone is really going through. So take a deep breath and stop keeping score. That goes for you too. Don’t be too easy on yourself but also don’t be too hard. As long as you are learning, you’re growing.
2. Be authentic
In a world of in-authentic instagram posts and social media fluff, I believe that the people that will grow the most is 2019 are those that opt for authenticity. It’s why I started my podcast The Authentic Entrepreneurs, to talk about what real entrepreneurs have to do to succeed over the long run. Social consciousness is more important than social acceptance. Works in personal life too.
3. Health matters more
A decade ago I was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and I didn’t realize how much my life would change. My doctor once said, if you don’t use it, you will lose it. So, through my amazing wife and my dear friend Dr. Greg Wells I have re-committed to health and wellness. This year commit to doing something active every day! It doesn’t have to be HUGE, consistency is more important than quantity.
4. Just try harder
In 2019 it won’t take much to differentiate yourself from the pack. If you look at your task, your business, your health, your school and see what’s required or requested, simply exceed that by 5 or 10 percent and you will exceed your success in life. I hope you do more than that, but it doesn’t take much. Even on the treadmill, I tell myself to do 1 minute more or make the incline 0.5% more. It’s a game changer.
5. Journal, journal, journal!
Invest in a journal and WRITE EVERY DAY! It doesn’t need to be much, at least write your daily intentions (goals) for your day and a word to set you up for success. Often, by committing to one or two sentences, you will write a page! It helps increase your awareness.
6. Be thankful
Right now, in that new journal, write a list of everyone that helped you or supported you in 2018 and write them a note! I say hand-written but even electronically will do. Do it! Take one per day, write them. Your immune system will help you. Invest the $1 for a stamp and send them a note.
7. Eat better
Maybe this is for me and me alone. I remember reading once that 6-pack-abs are made in the kitchen. So, eat better. I am continuing with cutting out sugar, dairy, and red meat. I won’t eat after 8 pm and I will never eat sweets. Also, drink water, lots of it. That alone will be a game changer for you!
8. Take deep breaths
With so much research out there about the value of meditation, you should try it! Not just once, but for 21 days; Using apps like Headspace or Calm are great and easy ways to get started. It’s not easy for many people but if you stick with it, it is so rewarding!
9. Get up EARLY!
For me it’s 5am. I find that if I get up early and run my morning protocols my day is simple better. How you begin your day is always a direct reflection of how your day plays out!
10. Go to bed early
To complete number nine, do number 10. Get to be before 10pm. Don’t use your phone (or watch TV) for at least 30 minutes before bed. Don’t eat after 8 pm. This will give you a better sleep and that’s SUPER important.
11. Tech-free meals
Get OVER it! You’re not that important. When you are with people eating a meal, put your phone away. NASA doesn’t need your clearance to launch the Falcon 9. If you’re a parent, DEMAND it. Don’t forget you’re the parent, you can say NO! Watch this Simon Sinek video to help demonstrate why it’s important. My kids still thank me for making our meals tech free when they were younger. Digital Dementia is a VERY real thing. Oh, that means you too!
12. Read a book
It doesn’t have to be 100 novels this year, or even one a month. But read a book, a few pages a day. The act of reading a book fires up the part of the brain that we need to be using. My wife bought me a fiction book this year so that I can fire some new unused synapsis I have stopped using. Thank you Jenny.
13. Use less plastic & waste Less
Simple, just use LESS plastic and waste less. This also means buy LESS “stuff”. We and our kids don’t need everything that they ask for or that we think of. There’s nothing wrong with saying no.
14. Do a social media cleanse
Take a day or an afternoon and delete or mute most of your social media following. Focus on people that you care about or those that inspire you to be/do better. This is a real hard thing to do, but it’s incredibly valuable! If you have to delete me, I am ok with that. Although I hope I inspire you a little and make the cut.
15. Get more green
In 2019 find at least one day a week to get into nature. Science has proven that when you spend time around green (plants and trees) and blue (water and sky) your immune system heals. To really level up this activity instead of bringing your phone, bring a bag and pick up garbage. If you want to bring your phone, put it on airplane mode and just take pictures not texts.
16. Help others
This year find an organization or foundation and volunteer. It doesn’t need to be much. But, give back. You will feel good.
17. Be Better than Trump
My wife is always telling me stop watching Donald Trump, “It just upsets you”. So whatever you see or hear that you have no control over, let it go, forgive, and move your attention to something that matters.
18. Learn More
In 2019 there are SO many ways to learn, I love podcasts and audio books. My drive time is my learning time. I suggest podcasts like The Authentic Entrepreneurs but I also love This American Life, The UnPodcast, Under The Influence and Dr. Greg Wells. Expand your horizons a bit. You are never too old or young to learn new things.
And a… BONUS!! (for 2019)
19. Be kind, judge less
This year, try to find ways to simply be kind, apologize to those you need to, and most importantly don’t judge. Live your life with kindness and patience. I hope this helps makes this year the BEST year YET!
In leadership and gratitude,
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