The beginning of the year always signals a time to review, reflect and plan for the coming year. It’s a way to get back on track and re-inspire your goals. This is the time of year we plan for what we want to accomplish during the coming months.

But planning is only part of the work that needs to be done. We can make projections, outline projects and assign duties, but it has to be done in a spirit of cooperation, sincerity and collaboration. If we forget about the people in our lives and just focus on the numbers, we miss the opportunity to bring out greatness in others. And there are times when people come into our lives and make unprecedented impact that changes who we are. If we just focus on the numbers, we may miss that.

I have had the opportunity in the past few weeks of meeting a few special people who have greatly changed my life and have helped me re-focus, which will, as a byproduct, help in business. But they have done much more than that. They have also helped me understand why I feel good when I am helping others. They have helped me understand why I do what I do, and why I enjoy it so much.

When I was younger, people used to talk about ‘karma’ and I used to discount it.  I don’t discount it any more. At the end of the day, I want my legacy to be based not on a scorecard of how well I did, but by how much I cared for those around me…it’s not about what you get back…it’s about what you give. The rest of it will take care of itself.