I recently read The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch. In the book Randy discusses various setbacks, or as he likes to call them, brick walls. He never felt that the brick walls were there to stop you in your pursuits, but rather to give you a chance to prove how much you really want something.

When running up against the brick wall of the economy and housing market this year, I used the opportunity to figure out how much (or whether) I really wanted a career in real estate. Others may look at this brick wall as one of the worst things to happen to them and their real estate career, but I looked at this brick wall as a genuine gift. You see, this brick wall enabled me to look at myself objectively and make the decision to begin a new chapter in my life (see A New Chapter Begins...).

Brick walls will happen from time to time. They are there for a reason. Don't let them stop you. Instead, climb over or around them (or smash through them!) in order to get what you want out of life, whatever that may be for you. If you follow your heart, it will tell you which path to take, just as it did for me.

So, looking back over the past year, I'm actually grateful for the brick wall of 2008. It was a difficult year, no doubt about it, but a year of change, growth and emerging opportunity. I intend to make 2009 one of the best years ever. How about you? Any lessons learned?

Live your best life!