By Jeff Sherman OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer Published Dec 31, 2010 at 10:04 AM

I always have some type of leadership/business/life lessons book, blog or article on my laptop, iPad or table next to my bed. Many are quick, easy reads that provide inspiration for the challenges and opportunities we all face.

I'm currently reading Ted Leonsis' "The Business of Happiness: 6 Secrets to Extraordinary Success in Life and Work." It and this great list from Fr. James Martin both inspired me to not only finalize my big bucket list of life goals but to think about all the tips, advice and insight that I've accumulated through the years from bosses, colleagues, books, friends, loved ones, teachers, my parents and other random sources.

Free advice can sometimes be worth what you pay for it, but inspiration and ideas are always needed. So, I'm taking this time at the end of the year to deliver 12 life and leadership tips that I've learned along the way.

Each one of these could easily become a chapter in and of themselves.  But for now, I'll let you interpret and take whatever from them that you will.

Here's to an amazing 2011 and as always, onward, upward and On Milwaukee!

  1. Don't get all caught up in it
  2. Never apologize for optimism
  3. Listen more and think before you talk/write
  4. Have an agenda
  5. Don't let terms define you, redefine the terms
  6. Love where you live
  7. Think, thank, play and pray hard
  8. Be a resource for friends and family
  9. Do what you love, but know that you may not be able to do it right away
  10. Harbor no resentment
  11. Never react emotionally to criticism
  12. Act like you own the place
Jeff Sherman OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer

A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.

He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.

Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.  He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.  

He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.

He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.