It matters not how you start, but how you finish...
I don't even know if that is a quote, something I heard or just something I made up. ;-) Despite the year starting off well and having a big bump in the road, personally, it is turning out to be a year of growth and consolidation. There is no getting around it, 2020 has been a year to remember. For some, it's been hard and negative and for others, it's been easy and positive despite COVID. I'd say it's been both. It's been hard, but I have been through hard before so it was familiar territory, even though the terrain looked a bit different and there was loads of uncertainty, I remembered how I navigated through the last series of dark valleys, and I grabbed for my trusty map and compass and took one step at a time.
I once heard someone compare resilience to a young tree. When the storm comes, the young and supple tree bends with the wind, but when the storm dies down, and it always does, the little tree straightens back up again and stands tall. It takes strong roots and flexibility. And there is nothing like a storm to build resilience.
Do you know that we have less than 4 months until the end of 2020? That either made you sigh in relief (let it be over) or gasp with panic (oh no! so much to do). I want to encourage you to not waste this year. Yes, it's been tough, yes, it has been uncertain. Get some clarity and get moving. Let's commit together to making the most of the rest of this year. In order to do that here are 3 things to think about....
1. What good things have happened?
It is easy to focus on all the negative stuff that has happened, but I would encourage you to take some time to focus on all the good things that have happened too, write them down. There will be some really good things. Tell me what they are in the comments. Depending on what you have been focusing on, you will call this year good or bad. Choose to call it a good year.
2. What lessons have I learned?
I never want to waste hardship. Whether it was self-inflicted or came through no fault of my own, I want to learn from it. Some of my best learnings have come from some of my worst mistakes. Take some time to write them down. Let me know what they are.
3. What will you do with the lessons?
What opportunities are there because of them? When life gets hard, it is tempting to become "downcast", this posture (looking down) ensures we will miss all the opportunities that are still there. We also miss all those who are smiling or reaching out. So consider this me putting my hand under your chin and lifting your head today. You have got this, you have got what it takes, you will not only survive 2020 but thrive because of it. Lift your head. Opportunity is always there.
Some great things that have happened for me in the midst of the storm of COVID (and yes even because of C-19) are:
1. I became a Service Provider for Regional Business Partners Network. This means I can offer coaching and training to my clients and they are either fully or partially funded. It has been awesome to lead leaders and leadership teams through the process of re-calibrating post C-19. If this is something you are interested in please contact me because the funding is being spent fast. Click here for more detail
2. I became a CAPA PRO member. I have been a long time fan of Patrick Lencioni and his company The Table Group, I have been working with and helping leadership teams create healthy cultures within their organisations for a while now, so it's been a huge personal milestone to be part of the Capa Pro membership. This means I am being trained and supported in these tools and models and so much more. If you are keen to really take your leadership team and business through some of these powerful tools, give me a shout, let's grab a coffee and see which tools would suit your team. Check out what clients have been saying.
3. I am forging some amazing strategic partnerships to make sure my clients are well looked after and supported on all fronts.
4. I founded The MastersMind, during Lockdown, which is a Mastermind group specifically tailored for Christian Leaders, who have big assignments to fulfil.
So I encourage you to take some time this week, grab a glass of your favourite drink and a pen and paper and write down the good things that have come out of what has been a really trying
time. Look at the lessons and celebrate them.
You have got this! Let's finish 2020 strong.
