Happy New Year – welcome to 2021, a year filled with hope.

Over the holiday break, I spent time reflecting on the wide range of business and personal challenges we faced during 2020. Many decisions had to be made, and they were. Some turned out well while others not—but no excuses.

While reflecting on my hope for a better year in 2021, I remembered this classic saying from American author Dr. Wayne Dwyer:

Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make. Period.

If you buy into this statement, as I do, it’s crystal clear. Hope for a better year in 2021 rests with us.

But to take 2021 better, let’s not rely on the hope of something magical happening. If we want significantly improved results for our businesses and families, we must make it happen—no excuses.

This reflection also heightened my awareness of the number of finger-pointers and excuse-makers we witness daily. As leaders, we need to embrace accountability—no excuses.

Leadership Tip

Proactively and responsibly make choices that will ensure 2021 is a great year.

For starters, consider the fundamental decisions you make about you. For example:

• How will you spend your time? Why?
• Who will you spend your time with? Why?

Then tackle the needs of your stakeholders. For example:

• What does your team need from you to achieve success?
• What do your customers need from you to achieve success?

Your responses to these questions will speak volumes about your leadership credibility, so choose wisely—no excuses.