It’s that time of year that everyone starts to write down their goals for the year ahead. I also feel the need to write down what I plan to accomplish for the year 2014. As I was writing I realized that for 2014 I only have one goal. And that is to, “Grind harder!”

2013 has come and gone and I for one can honestly say that I achieved all my goals that I made at this time last year. I wanted to start an organization that is focused on giving back to my community. And now Building A New Detroit is a youth empowerment organization that is in the process of becoming a non-profit. Check that one as being complete. I also fell into the goals that we all seem to give around this time. I wanted to get into better shape in order to increase my quality of life. And since March of 2013 I have lost a total of 31 pounds. I am now 15 pounds away from my weight when I graduated from Wayne State University. So, I can also check that as being complete. And I wanted to be recognized as a leader within my city. Along came Challenge Detroit, and along with 31 other young professionals we were designated as Detroit’s new leaders. So there’s the final check!

And this year I have sole goal to “Grind harder!” If 2014 shall pass and I did not build on my 2013 success, then this upcoming year would be looked upon as a failure. If any of my goals from the previous year shall end, then 2014 would be looked upon as a failure. If I have not created a path for others life to be made easier, then 2014 would be looked upon as a failure.

I am not in the mindset of accepting failure. This is my promise to myself that in 2014 I will grind harder. I will grind harder than I have ever done before. At this time next year, when I look back, my achievements will be measured by how many new initiatives I have put in place, how many lives were made easier by my efforts, and how many people were helped due to my work.

I know that this goal is hard but it is also obtainable. So get ready to list the hardest working people in 2014, and don’t be surprised if I’m so far ahead of the competition that I am ranked number 1 and number 2.

This year has been awesome and taught me a lot about myself. It is because of the trials and tribulations that I have gone through this year that allows me to dream big, and although I do dream big do not consider me a dreamer. For I am a doer that lives by the Mohammed Ali quote, “The best way to make your dreams come true, is to simply wake up!” So I am here to challenge all my doers to dream big and “wake up!”