"Do things that make you better" - Futurist Jim Carroll
Futurist Jim Carroll is writing a series, “25 Things I’ve Learned That Will Carry Me Into 2025.” He is putting this together based on his 30-year career as a futurist, trends, and innovation expert, advising leaders of some of the world’s most prestigious organizations on how to align to a faster future. He intends for the series to provide valuable guidance to others eager to learn how to move through a year that promises to be volatile, unpredictable, and full of uncertainty. Each day, the post goes out on multiple mailing lists, social media networks, and to the Website https://2025inspiration.jimcarroll.com
(Publishing note: The final 4 items in this 2024 series will come with a post on Friday, Dec 27, and the final 3 in this series the following week into January 1!)
Thank you for your support throughout the year!
At this time of year, I count my blessings and my relationships over anything else.
Our year was marked by much joy and excitement with our family. My son Willie continues his career as a professional drone pilot (ask him about the New Jersey situation!), while his wife Laura is pursuing her PhD in Music Therapy. My son Thomas continues to thrive in his role as a wealth manager and investment advisor, and his wife Kim transitioned to a new job in the parks and recreation department of a major city near our home. Christa and I are in awe of their success and are so thrilled to be such a part of their lives.
My wife Christa and I traveled together to many locations around the world for my keynotes, and I still jokingly refer to her as my bodyguard. Years ago, I realized that the road life of a speaker is often lonely and very dispiriting - and so we decided to do it together! We now celebrate our 37th Christmas together - and have worked in our home office together for over three decades. We know we are both blessed with our love for each other.
In addition to supporting my speaking activities, Christa spends much of her time as a volunteer for a charity that is very important to us, Events For Life. It is an initiative that provides activities and initiatives for special needs young adults near our ski community. (I also give back by spending my time doing all the tech support for the organization.) We are always reminded that our ability to share our good fortune by supporting others is one of the most important things we can do. Every moment that we get a wonderful smile from one of the program participants makes sure that our hearts are full.
I wish you a peaceful, joyous holiday season, and all the best for 2025!
With gratitude and thanks,
Futurist Jim Carroll
Be grateful. Be gracious. Be helpful. Be considerate.
Above all, be kind.
Given the world that surrounds us at this moment in time, I don't believe that 2025 is going to be one that will be memorable for the overall decency of the human condition. Call me out for my momentary pessimism - I have struggled the last few months with my perpetual optimism as events have unfolded around us.
That means one of the key strategies any of us might take into the new year will involve investing in our personal growth - not just the kind that relates to our work and our career - but the kind that involves the ethical values at the core of our soul.
That's why I plan on trying to do the things that will make me better. That might be a key strategy for you too into 2025 since it will help to ground you in a world that might often seem like it has gone mad.
I don't mean to preach, but I am a big believer that basic human decency is what will make things great again - not the blind pursuit of power, vengeance, grievance, retribution, and hate.
I believe we are better people if we define our success not just by what we do, but also by what we do for others.
I believe it is important that we are a person who nurtures and enhances, rather than diminishes and degrades.
I believe that we should lead with inspiration, not fear, and be a warrior of kindness, not bitterness.
I've always tried to live a life in which I know that my credibility is earned through honesty and squandered through deceit - and will try to double down on those values into 2025.
I'm a big believer in the importance of personal integrity and living true to one's values.
I've always tried to encourage people to promote healing and not hurting- and to be a beacon of optimism and not pessimism.
Into 2025? We should always try to do the right thing for others - and become known for our grounding in compassion and kindness.
We should be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people - and someone who provides others hope, not doubt.
We should give comforting words that heal, not hateful words that wound.
We can measure our success in greatness through kindness - and will know that it is the latter that will guarantee us the former!
Above all, we know that it is how we treat other people is the thing that truly defines who we are.
That's why one of my goals in 2025 is to continue to try to do the things that will make me better in the context of these values.
I hope you will continue to join me on this journey!
Futurist Jim Carroll works hard to reinforce the optimism that is at the core of his soul.