Veri Workman, a world renown business coach, recently shared these thoughts: "Recently I watched a demonstration of a potter turning clay, and I was fascinated as he molded the clay into perfect bowls, vases, and plates. With each new blob of clay, this artist took the clay and shaped it into an amazing work of art. Once the clay was shaped, he used tools, colors, and glazes to add elements of design. The interesting part of this demonstration was when the potter asked people from the audience if they wanted to give it a try. Several sat at the wheel, set their clay and then worked to mold it. It was hilarious to watch as the clay spun off the wheel in all directions, and when the tools were applied, they would cut the vase or mug in half or make a bizarre design. It was clearly much more difficult than they had expected. After allowing a few puzzled participants to fail, the potter taught a very important lesson about turning clay. He said: It doesn't matter how fast you go, or what tools you use...if the clay is not perfectly centered on the wheel, your project will fail. This principle of having a perfect center applies to so many areas of our lives, doesn't it? If we are not centered it doesn't make any difference how we look, what we have, or how smart we are. If our core is out of balance we will fail. Here are a few core fundamentals that will helps us stay centered and whatever we do in balance: 1) Be crystal clear about your mission in life, your vision of what you want to happen, and your uncompromising values. 2) Understand and appreciate the value of relationships more than anything else in the world. 3) Track your course. Know where you're going. Be aware of where you've been. Discover your true north. 4) Embrace change to make a better version of yourself. Dump was doesn't work. Build on what does. 5) Never, ever, ever....stop learning! This is the message of the potter's wheel."