This past Thursday, Don made his presentation entitled “ The Second Ghost Part I “

He shared with us his thoughts on the new year, which causes most of us to think about setting new goals.

Don suggested that maybe it’s time for us to re-frame our brain systems a little bit.  

But with a new twist.  Instead of setting goals in this new year, he suggested we do some talent stacking.  It may be time for us to think about the different things that we know we are really good at.  Those talents we all have.

And try to remember when thinking about your own special talents, that change is a journey for us, and not just a light switch that you can turn on. 

Sure, college courses will teach us a lot, but what else do we need?

Things like time management are not taught when in college.  For example, many new skills are needed to get a spouse, a house and those 2.5 kids you have always wanted.

Don proposed a great thought for us to consider.  Imagine when you die, if you were to meet the person who you could have been.  Are you a stranger to your own potential?   

Don gave us a homework assignment for the next time he presents for us.  He wants us to start dreaming of our future self.   And let go of the past, even though the person that hurt you didn’t say they were sorry.  Your own excuses are lying to you.  And healing will require letting go of  those toxic relationships.  

In 2026, start stacking your talents.  This could be the most transformative if you let it.  Trust that each step forward will build something more meaningful.

And don’t forget that you don’t have to try and make everyone happy.

And when stacking your talents this year, you will go through the stages of change, which are as follows;

1). Pre-contemplation stage.   In this stage you are not considering any changes, and may be resistant to change.

2) Contemplation stage.   In this stage you may be starting to think about change,  and begin to think about it.

3) Preparation stage.  This is the beginning of starting to make small changes.

4). Action stage.  You are ready to change , and you start to begin those changes.

5).  Maintenance stage.  This is where you carry out adaptive behaviors to sustain your desired changes.

6) Relapse.  In this stage you may revert back to your old stages, possibly stages one and two.

Don reminded us in 2026 to find and use the tools to understand where you are and the skills needed to get there.  And stay focused on your goals and stop accepting those self imposed limits.