As I am sure you’re aware, earlier this year, Kobe Bryant and eight others perished in a terrible helicopter accident. There are countless articles about Kobe Bryant and his prowess both on the basketball court and in the other areas of his life. Everybody has taken away certain lessons from this tragedy.

As I’ve thought about how fleeting life can be, here are my three commitments to myself about how I choose to live my life:

Live to the Fullest: In all aspects of our lives, we should make sure that we are doing exactly what we want to do and that we are exerting all that we can into what we do. People generally acknowledge and admire those who devote themselves to their craft and their hobbies that they pursue. This is true whether you are a sports fan or not.
Learn and Grow: There is an old adage that if you’re not learning, you’re dying. The success to a long and vital life is the pursuit of new skills and familiar, and unfamiliar, topics. There are many famous examples of this in action, including George W. Bush who learned to paint after he left office. We also need to immerse ourselves in new activities that enhance our interests and increase our perspective on life.
Love What You Do: Although the message is very simple, it’s one that many of us, including me, have struggled with at times. At the end of the day, the work that we do and how we spend our time defines who we are and what our legacy will be after we are gone. When you’re able to spend your time passionately committed to what you do, you will be a legend in the eyes of those that admire you.

In the words of Henry David Thoreau, “Living is so dear…. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.”

Take-away: If you are an entrepreneur who is seeking to live the fullest life and not spend all your time on the financial and accounting aspects of your business, contact Accelerating CFO to have us help you and your company reach your fullest potential.

Brian Califano