I’ve always been an optimist. If this were not the case, it’s possible that Dermalogica as we know it might not have happened! And you’d be microfoliating and Power Rich-ing with someone else. By the way, I am so grateful that this is not the case.

So, I do look forward into the eyes of 2012 as one would look into the eyes of a newborn baby. I believe that virtually everything is possible.

And here’s some good news to start off the year: you do not have to be good at everything. You only need to be good at what you’re already really good at. Whatever this is, love it, cherish it, nurture it, own it in 2012. Take it to a new level of mastery in the New Year. Doing so will make you happier than you were in 2011. It may even make you rich, possibly in cash as well as in more intangible ways.

The common wisdom is that we should strive to be well-rounded. Another word for this is “balance.”

I think that balance is an impossible proposition, really. Whether you’re a single working person, a new parent, a small business owner, whatever, I believe that it is more innately human, and ultimately more rewarding, to recover and rebound from extremes. To me, the good life is all about resilience.

Of course, I am in favor of eating vegetables, lots of cardio, hand-written thank-you notes, and getting plenty of sleep. Of course I believe in thoroughly removing all makeup before bedtime. Ditto for daily flossing, quitting smoking now, drinking plenty of water, and never exceeding the speed limit.

Does your life really work this way, though? Mine doesn’t.

From a career standpoint, as well as from a personal standpoint, here’s my advice for 2012: don’t bother with things you don’t care about. Don’t fret about this idea of balance; instead, focus on your strengths. This does align, I suppose, with the idea that whatever we focus on becomes larger and stronger. So don’t obsess about what you don’t have, and what you are not.

If you’re just not really a dog person, fine! If you really don’t get excited about fine wines, okay! If you’re great at math, but can’t make toast or boil an egg, it’s all good – because chances are there’s a diner down the street.

Love what you love. One really great way to expand this love is to share it with others. I encourage you to share your strengths with other women, in particular, in 2012. This proposition has many implications in many areas of life.

Consider tutoring or mentoring one or more women, in your workplace, in your community, at your child’s school. Explore the idea of barter. Lessons in Excel in exchange for a deluxe latte coffee-drink every Monday morning, or vacation pet-sitting? Why not?

Yes, here is a refreshing reversal: an opportunity for a younger, less experienced person to mentor an older person—since younger people often have mad tech skills to share. Imagine!

Then, imagine even more. Imagine what else is possible when you focus on your strengths.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at 9:25 pm and is filed under under my skin with jane wurwand, founder of dermalogica.