Is the desire to be and feel successful in our work, life, and relationships a universal pursuit? It's certainly something we often talk about and strive for. Our personal definition of success varies for each person and situation. During a conversation with my Mom, I was reminded about one of my favorite "success" stories about my Dad.

Like many others of his generation, my Dad worked for the same company for 25 years. He could have easily become a lifer. Due to several reasons, at age 50, he made a bold move. He gave up the familiar along with security of income and benefits to start his own company. With two kids in college and one about to start (me,) he took a big financial and personal risk.

The story goes that on his first day of being his own boss, he went to his newly rented office and worked. Opposite of his normal work habits, halfway into the workday, he left to see a movie. He’d never done that before. Later that night when he got home, he told my Mom about his movie adventure. When she asked him why he went, he said, "I wanted to see what would happen."

“Refine what you’re doing, try something new, and pave the way for your success.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

That singular event, set the stage for the next 25 plus years as he tested the “let’s see what will happen” theory. He became highly successful in his computer graphics consultancy business as he traveled the world saying, “yes” to opportunities and trying things he’d never done before.

While the lessons I learned from him are many, here are a few of the success rules my Dad modeled for me:

9 Success Rules

1. Try something new.

2. Question the familiar.

3. Fear will be there, but forge ahead anyway.

4. Just because you never have, doesn't mean you can't.

5. Connect people.

6. Say, “yes” to opportunities.

7. The glass is half full.

8. Humor is a good thing.

9. Enjoy the journey.

It’s a new season. It’s a chance to reset your goals, refine what you’re doing, try something new, and pave the way for your success. What does success look and feel like? What are your success rules? I’d love to hear from you. Come join the conversation.

For over 25 years, I’ve been coming to the rock by the river. My favorite way to go there is to walk down our street to the path through the woods, which leads me to the water. I went on this journey today.

I go there for solitude and sharing, for reflecting and conversing, for writing and wishing or for just being. It’s a place of strength, continuity, change and calm. The shifting seasons highlight its beauty in different ways. On this crisp, fall day everything looked and smelled so clear and fresh.

The rocks, which jut out from the sandy bank provide a foundation that allows me to climb, stand or sit. Like our lives, without a sturdy base, things get wobbly. The rocks are there to support me as needed. I climbed out to the furthest rock, which was in the middle of the river. I sat and quieted myself as I took in the sounds, scents and view.

The river flowed by. It twisted and turned swiftly in places and appeared less active in others. The movement was constant like the continuous change we experience in our lives. The water had an energy and urgency about it as if something was going to happen. It made me feel hopeful about life’s possibilities.

That excitement was accompanied by the sound of the water flowing downstream. The river has many noises and beats as its currents swirl and bubble. The diverse tones joined together creating a unified backdrop that was calming and familiar.

This rock by the river is an emotional place. Dreams were dreamed here. Loved ones were loved here. Tears were cried here. Laughter was had here. Balance was found here.

The river flowed. The sun shone brightly. The air shared its breeze. I breathed deeply. This special place has once again allowed me the gift of just being, feeling this moment of balance and gratitude for my rock by the river.

What does balance look like or feel like to you?

It’s a new month and season. October and fall have arrived, bringing shorter, cooler days. As the leaves begin to change color and drop from their branches, the scene is set for the possibilities of what might come next.

I came across one of Oprah Winfrey’s recent writings, which beautifully captured the ideas of change, possibilities and growth. She said, “The inevitable truth is that everything changes. We’re not meant to look the same or act the same year in and year out. Growth brings new potential. And I know for sure that when you’re open to receiving them, the possibilities just keep on coming.”

Having just returned from a business trip to Las Vegas, I was particularly struck by the energy and feeling of possibilities in that city. Particularly at night on the Strip, there was so much going on. There was a sense that all things real or imaginary were possible. There were masses of people checking out the sights, street performers singing, dancing, or acting like statues, glitter, sparkle and lights everywhere, live and recorded music bellowing from storefronts, water fountains dancing to music, volcanoes erupting on the hour, reproductions of landmark buildings from Paris, New York and Venice accentuating the landscape. The buzz of excitement permeated the streets.

On the top of the MGM Grand hotel and casino was a sign that read, “Alter Your Reality.” I guess that about sums it up. When you think about the possibilities of what might come next for you, it allows you the opportunity to continue on your current path or move in new directions.

What is possible for you in the coming months? How will this season be different from the last?

Lighten Up by Peter Walsh

January is Get Organized Month. According to Standolyn Robertson, NAPO Past-President, “Getting organized is one of the top 5 New Year’s resolutions people make…” What better way to wrap up this month than with a giveaway that’s designed to help you with your organizing goals?

For my Get Organized Month Giveaway, one lucky winner will receive a copy of the newly released book Lighten Up by the charming organizational expert, Peter Walsh. He’s a New York Times bestselling author and host of the new Oprah Winfrey Network Television series “Enough Already! with Peter Walsh.” The subtitle of Peter’s book says it all:  Love What You Have, Have What You Need, Be Happier with Less.

Sometimes the pressure of getting organized or working on your goals is so great that it prevents us from taking any steps forward.  For me, it’s valuable to use the change of seasons to create reflection and evaluation pauses. The goals I’m working on now will bring me through the winter. Once spring arrives, I will look back and then ahead to adjust what I’m doing. In my book, The Other Side of Organized, the seasons help my readers focus on particular ideas at specific times. Winter is about fresh starts, embracing change and taking next steps.

Please make your next step entering the Get Organized Month Giveaway.  The giveaway starts on January 24th. The winner will be picked on January 31st.  Follow the contest rules to win a copy of Peter Walsh’s book, Lighten Up:

1.    Comment on this blog post below with something you love or would be happier without.

2.    Comment about the giveaway on the Oh, So Organized! Facebook page

3.    Re-tweet the giveaway on Twitter and include @LindaSamuels when you do!

4.    Subscribe to the Other Side of Organized monthly e-newsletter for inspiration and motivation!

Do one or all of the above to enter. The more you do, the more times your name will be entered to win (up to 4 total entries!)

I look forward to hearing from you and sharing Peter’s book with the winner. Good luck!