Have you ever had a conversation that truly turns your thinking inside-out? Not just a little bit, but a lot. You know, one of those conversations where the person you are speaking with asks you hard questions. I mean really hard questions. The kind of questions that hang around in your mind for hours, days and perhaps even weeks after the conversation is long over. Even more, one of those conversations where you suddenly realize that the status quo of your mind has been so challenged that you might need to rethink your thinking.

Exactly one year ago today, I had just that kind of conversation with a colleague that I had only ever known over Twitter (though we now know each other quite well).  Yet, for a variety of reasons, on April 2, 2011 we ended up on the telephone having a fairly in-depth discussion. At the time, I didn’t realize the full significance of the discussion; however I knew that it was important. I knew it mattered.  I understood that it meant things in my world would be changing.  Initially though, I was simply thrown off. I was uncertain. Truthfully, I was actually scared – and not just a little; but a lot.  In less than an hour, this person asked me more questions than I had asked myself in years. The questions centred around who I was, how I represented myself online and where I was really going with my business. When my answers didn’t come from a place of true strength they questioned me even more and much harder.  Within an hour, I understood that this person saw things in me that I just wasn’t seeing very clearly, if at all.  The truth is; they saw me.

Today, as I look back on that conversation I smile. It filled me with questions and uncertainty; yet it was also the catalyst for me to begin changing up things in my life. Literally, that one conversation turned my thinking inside-out.  It was my first real introduction to the community of SOBCon. It was what made me realize that I needed to better align my heart with my mind. It helped me learn to trust once again. It was the beginning of the road to find my blogging voice and to updating my vision for both myself and my company.  It set in motion so many different things, simultaneously, that it still amazes me whenever I really think about it.

Here are some of the key points that I have learned in the year since that conversation:

1. The conversations that are the hardest to have; are usually also the ones that are the most important. Find people to really challenge your thinking.  It matters.
2. Listen to your inner voice – it’s always there – you just need to hear it through all the noise.
3. Learn how to be who YOU were meant to be.
4. Believe in yourself. As soon as you do, believe in others.
5. Generosity just feels good.  Give for the sake of giving and do it from the heart. Amazing, amazing things happen when you do this.
6. Surround yourself with people who have values that are aligned with yours.
7. There is brilliance all around us.  Find it. Let it speak to your mind and your heart.
8. Optimism is contagious.  Believe in the greater good and share it with everyone.
9. Far too often we undervalue what we have to offer to the world.  Don’t sell yourself short. Learn how to value yourself.
10. Once you know who you are, where you’re going and what really matters, everything else just gets easier – in business and life.

When is the last time you had a really hard conversation?  Who turns your thinking inside-out? Where will you be one year from today?