A milestone like crossing age 65 naturally invites introspection. Here are a few of the many mistakes I’ve made and some of the things I got right, along with a list of the wisdom I hope I’ve gained during the ride.

Disney CEO Bob Iger’s Principles are common denominators that impact our ability to succeed. Our own “relentless pursuit of perfection” should bring us back to mindful study and honest self assessment of how closely our own beliefs, and actions, align.

In a world that seems to dump challenge after challenge on our shoulders, it’s important to understand the difference between Hope and Faith. Hope articulates the wish that things will get better. Faith is the belief that carefully considered action can lead to productive outcomes.

There are thousands of good ideas that emerge from creative minds every day. What makes them great is a combination of talent, timing, perseverance and luck. That last element may seem to be the toss of a coin, but as Louis Pasteur wrote, “Chance favors the prepared mind”. If you have the courage to believe, you may not achieve exactly what you first picture in your mind. But with persistence, you will find the right road and the right people to help you mold the initial hunk of clay into something valuable.

Opportunity is often hidden among the details, treasure that can be found when you pay attention to little things. The purpose of life isn’t to get it all done, but to figure out what’s important and sweat the small stuff.

Sharing an orbit with a child with Down syndrome has more than its share of magic moments, those instances where the clouds part and what’s really important reveals itself. When they happen, you can’t help but stop and think about how lucky you are to have her in your life. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I take my granddaughter to therapy…

A clear definition of where you want to go, pursuit of the tools and education that can help you see the pathway, creating an environment without distractions, and a relentless determination to apply the habits of achievement will create an environment where just about any dream can come true.

Loyalty is a character attribute that is part of the personal portfolio of our closest friends and my most respected colleagues. We owe them our allegiance. But we also owe them a return on their investment.

The biggest impediment to forward progress has nothing to do with education, skill or experience. It’s fear. When we peel away the rationalizations and get people to admit what’s really holding people back It’s this: They were afraid.

Yes, there is validity to old chestnuts like, “where there is smoke, there is fire.” Patterns of behavior especially in times of adversity reveal character. But too often, we take what others say at face value, without question and judge accordingly.