Editor’s note: Veteran entrepreneur and investor Donald Thompson is a regular contributor to WRAL TechWire. His columns appear on Wednesdays.

RALEIGH – 2020 has been a wild ride. Between flashes of fear, anxiety, and grief, there have been so many days where everything just felt the same. It is easy to look back at these past twelve months and see how many things went wrong, how much we have been through or gotten stuck in together and how we want next year to be different. 

However, as an exercise in gratitude and positive thinking, I’m choosing to look at some happy things instead: the people, products, companies, and causes that brought me joy and helped to keep me centered in this year of unprecedented struggle. I encourage you to do the same. What’s your personal best-of list for 2020? What inspired you? What delighted you? What kept you moving forward?

Psychologists have long proclaimed the benefits of list-making for productivity, introspection and goal achievement. A recent article from Inc.com also shows how and why list-making can improve your perspective. In short, a good list brings order to chaos, helps us understand where to spend our energy, and works as a memory aide to remind us of moments and resources we might have otherwise forgotten. 

As you look to create a stronger and more successful 2021, a “Best of 2020” year-end list will help you form measurable, meaningful and actionable goals in both your personal and professional lives. Here are my ten favorite things this year. 

  • One big business that inspires me: Salesforce

For me, Salesforce is the strongest example of how to merge financial success with social good, and do them both well. Their team has worked for years to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into the core of their mission, vision and holistic strategy. This year, they’ve doubled down on that commitment, even vowing to hire more than 2,000 of their current employees’ friends and family members who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. I particularly admire their AbilityForce Employee Resource Group and their strong stance on disability inclusion. Salesforce shows how corporate social responsibility can improve the world. 

  • My favorite small business pivot of the year: Beyu Caffe 

Watching this Durham coffee shop and restaurant transition so quickly and so seamlessly to e-commerce — and subsequently bring back the majority of their staff —  I feel inspired by the strength of their innovation. Beyu Caffe has been a bright spot in my year. 

  • The book I enjoyed most this year: Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath

First published in 2007, Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Thrive and Others Die explores the critical components of a winning message. As they argue, the key to a successful idea is not the strength of that idea itself but the framework, the momentum and the execution that surround it. Their formula relies on simplicity, surprise, clarity, credibility, emotion and story. As a CEO in the marketing space, I absolutely agree: the messaging makes the difference.

  • My favorite comfort food of 2020: Blueberry Pancakes

Specifically, I’m enjoying the blueberry pancakes from Cracker Barrel. If you want to do something nice for yourself, order a short stack for pickup or delivery. I promise they will improve your day.

Jim Stengel is the former Chief Marketing Officer of Procter & Gamble. On The CMO Podcast, he takes a look at the thought process and motivations of marketing from the C-suite perspective and gives actionable advice for driving your business with purpose-led brand development. The podcast is engaging, deeply inspiring and full to the brim with actionable insights. 

  • One person I’ve admired this year: LeBron James 

LeBron James is a hero of mine, not because of his skill on the court but because of how he uses his talent to activate positive social change. The I Promise School in Akron, House Three Thirty community hub and national More Than A Vote organization are just three of my personal favorite examples. I admire his leadership, his bravery and his values. In fact, I’d say he has informed a lot of my moves in the diversity space throughout this year. As I work to grow The Diversity Movement, LeBron is a consistent inspiration to me. 

  • My favorite TV show: Little House On The Prairie

I know it might not sound as cool as Game of Thrones or Mandalorian, but Little House on the Prairie is seriously fantastic — an oldie but a goodie. On their small farm and in their small community, the Ingalls family deals with so many challenges but never loses sight of their central goal to look out for one another. For me, the show is a strong lesson in how to be helpful and be a better neighbor. Little House shows how much stronger we could be if we learned to put community first. 

  • The political moment that inspired me: Mitt Romney votes to convict

In February, Mitt Romney broke with the Republican party and voted to convict President Trump of an abuse of power by delaying military aid to Ukraine until they would agree to investigate Joe Biden. I may not agree with all of his politics, but I admire Romney’s strength of belief and his commitment to action. Romney did what he thought was right in the face of tremendous adversity and pressure. I respect his fortitude.

  • One start-up that I’m keeping my eye on: Home Lending Pal

Home Lending Pal is an AI-based mortgage advisor that works to connect home buyers and lenders uncover the hidden costs of homeownership and helps people dig deep into the home buying process with limited human interaction. According to their site, 81% of first-time millennial homebuyers regret their monthly mortgage amount and mortgage loan type. Home Lending Pal offers an innovative solution, and I can’t wait to watch it soar to success.

  •  Two great gifts if you’re still on the hunt: a selfie light and a microphone

These two small, plug-and-play items have made working from home so much easier this year: my video-conferencing lighting kit and my podcast microphone. For those of us who spend most of the work day on Zoom — in meetings, webinars, podcast recordings and virtual coffee dates — it’s important to be sure you’re presenting yourself well and coming across crystal-clear in important conversations. 

As you make your own Best of 2020 list, look to see what themes run through it and how you can use what the exercise reveals to create a more purpose-driven, fulfilling and impactful 2021. Also, tune in to my podcast this week for tips on putting 2020 in the rearview mirror and making adnext year an explosive success.  

About the Author 

Donald Thompson is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, author, podcaster, public speaker and mentor for Google’s Entrepreneurs Exchange. He is also currently CEO for Walk West, a digital marketing agency, and co-founder/CEO of The Diversity Movement, a technology-enabled diversity, equity and inclusion training firm. Donald talks more about this topic and how to succeed in 2021 on his most recent episode of The Donald Thompson Podcast. To learn more, visit donaldthompson.com.