In August of 2013, I was faced with unprecedented challenges for me and I was desperate to get my life, career, and finances back on track.

For a period of more than 10 years, I had served as CEO of multiple mid sized, early-stage, and venture backed companies and had done quite well up until 2009/2010.

When the economy hit a nosedive, the company that I was running was forced into an early exit and sold at a rock bottom price. I was left without a job and a company to run. I bounced around for 2 years consulting and doing odd deals trying to keep myself afloat. I partnered up with some wall street bankers to build a renewable energy project that by May of 2013 died a painful death.

Around July, my sister mentioned to my father and me about a book that she was reading called The Secret. And, as our family typically does, we were all hooked on it by early August and began following The Magic in earnest.

I followed every single one of the exercises for a straight month, every month (religiously), keeping and dedicating myself to my gratitude journal. Little things, little signals started appearing based upon my gratitudes and my thankfulness for these things before they even appeared. I balanced being scared about the future with being optimistic daily, sometimes even hourly, about that same future.

But without fail, for 150 straight days, the 150th day conveniently was January 1st, 2014. I woke to review the 10 things that I am most grateful for: A thriving career, a Disney Vacation with my family, a significant income, sizable charitable donations, before they had ever manifested themselves in the physical world. In addition, I would write the top 10 things that I was grateful for that happened the day before. Number 1 typically starts with my being grateful for a wonderful sleep to recharge my body and mind.

On September 1, 2013, I took the “unpaid” reigns of a wonderful new technology start-up, with the challenge of raising $250,000 by the end of the year to kickoff paying ourselves and launching the wonderful product!

On January 2, 2014, I received my first paycheck, a significant salary on the way to the money I know is coming soon, and launched our new group health care plan for our team. Our product commercially launches this month.

Our family moves into our new home in March, and I have a renewed sense of vigor towards life, career, family, finances and most of all, gratitude.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for the power of The Secret and the magic of The Magic.

Grateful for a tremendous 2014!