There’s lots of talk these days about whose winning streak is the best. Whether it’s Tom Brady being in eight NFL conference championships in a row or Lebron James in eight straight NBA finals. Some think Brady has lost a step this season. Others feel James has a long way to go for another championship.

For those looking at things through a different lens, then Marsai Martin and Michelle Obama might be the focus. Martin who’s one of the child actors on Black-ish is set to be the youngest executive producer of a feature film. She’s teaming-up with other more seasoned players in Hollywood on the project.

Then of course there’s Obama’s Becoming book tour which might be on break now, but books are still selling. She’s maintained her own streak in the #1 spot as the best-selling book in 2018 since the 50 Shades of Grey release. The tour is gearing-up for a return in February with U.S. and international dates.

Martin and Obama aren’t related but share similar points for putting your best foot forward. For Martin it’s been a few years since landing her role on Black-ish as she’s an inspiration to the young’uns. For Obama it’s been a few years since leaving the White House and she’s an inspiration to young and old.

Since the new year is off to a fresh start, they give us the feeling that we can run-on and see what the next level might be. Whether it’s getting started on the good foot, turning-up with the best look or bringing the right energy. Their success steps have been like going from seed to tree to fruit in ‘Becoming’ a:

1. Breakout

Martin and Obama might say they were nurtured by people who believed in them. That helped them develop from a seed to having a ‘tree’ mentality. When others believe in you and your work then there’s a good chance that your breakout will come. Like a seed becoming a tree, you’ll breakout in the right soil.

2. Blossom

They can point back to a time when things began to blossom. Like blossoms on a tree, it’s where a certain beauty starts to flourish before the fruit appears. Making 2019 a year of ‘Becoming’ is more than just having good ideas. It’s letting the ideas blossom into something that’s full of beauty, color and value.

3. Brand

When asked whether she’d ever run for President, Obama is clear; NO! In a sense, that’s not how she sees her brand. Now that they’ve moved beyond their own blossom stage, they’re carving out a niche that sets their brand apart. Your brand helps to establish the fruit of your labor in the marketplace.

4. Breeze

Beyond the cooling effects of a good breeze is the laid-back feeling you get. It’s the ‘no problem mon’ attitude some project. Whether as a child star or player on the world stage, Martin and Obama bring a ‘cool factor’ to their work. Maybe it’s why they project to fans a kind of cool, relaxed, laid-back feeling.

Taking a page from Martin and Obama in 2019 might mean looking more closely at the steps of ‘becoming.’ They both use the idea of going back in time to a ‘younger self’ to project their best self.  That’s a way to ‘believe in you’ and get to the spot of being a survivor or the #1 spot as a ‘brand new me.’

Tip: Going back in time to a ‘younger self’ has helped others leap forward in time to project their best self.

Talkback: What would it mean for your current self to feel like 19 again?

Tracks: Alicia Keys – Brand New Me – https://youtu.be/wOSv1TIa58M

Destiny’s Child – Survivor – https://youtu.be/Wmc8bQoL-J0