Life is fragile. I learned this at the beginning of the year
when our 32 year old nephew-in-law died of cancer. Far too young and far too soon.
We wrapped up the year with the sudden death of my colleague
and friend Diane McGee. Both deaths
serve to remind me that life is short and to focus on what you want to do.
When it is important,
people show up. On the worst snowstorm of the season it was
the launch date of the One Red Lipstick book.
We had 80 people registered and four speakers who were travelling a
distance. Over 60 folks turned up, as well as all four speakers.
Be a role model. The message behind One Red Lipstick is that
we need to step up and be role models for the generations behind us. We often don’t realize the wisdom we can
share. I’ve since signed up to be a
mentor in a couple of programs.
People come into your
life for a reason. Pay attention.
Learn what you need to learn, give what you can give. Enjoy the
relationship and make the most of your time together.
Never say never. I had declared to myself that our conference
(the 10th) would be my last one.
Well that lasted about a day after the event and then I got into gear to
plan the conference for 2017.
You don’t know what
you don’t know. Especially when you start a new business. Launching Full Circle Publishing has been an
exciting and humbling experience. It’s not easy to be back in the beginner’s
seat.
Be careful what you
wish for. Full Circle Publishing was
to be my “retirement” project – something I could do from anywhere and which I
could manage in terms of size. In three
months we have published five books, with more in the wings.
Smiling can take you
a long way. On our trip to Nova
Scotia we received such great customer service.
People took an interest in you, smiled and were happy to be helping
you.
Read the small print. When you go over documents quickly you can
miss important stuff, which can cost you money. And it did.
Laughter is good
medicine. By co-incidence we had
our best man and bridesmaid staying with us in time for our 44th
wedding anniversary. We spent an amazing weekend together. I don’t think any of us have laughed so much
in years. By far the highlight of the
year.
Be pragmatic. When your plans fall through, while
disappointing at the time, you need to come up with Plan B and move on.
Wallowing in what could have been doesn’t get you too far. Plus who knows, maybe Plan B is better.
Delegate. It’s not
all about me. I am excited about
2017 – we have some new programs in the works. I’ve learned this year to delegate and I
intend to do more of that in the year ahead.
It’s only taken me 14 years to realize I don’t have to, nor should I do
everything!
That’s it. A month by
month take on my year.
It’s been a busy one – and the one constant is
relationships, because it’s the relationships we have with our family, friends,
colleagues and customers that can make or break our businesses.
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