Welcome 2008!

Today is back-to-work-day for most of us.  A new year.  A fresh spirit from holiday rest.  Let's hope it lasts a few hours...smile.

During the last two weeks, I wrote a lot in my personal journal.  Took a good look over 2007.  Here were just a few of the themes:

My company - still in business!

Moved to a more sustainable and healthy consulting model with Gibbs & Soell Public Relations (G&S).  Having grown my individual consulting practice to levels nearly drowning me, I can now consult with this team -- people I respect and feel good about supporting -- and focus the rest of my effort on training. 

Built two especially strong and valuable business associate relationships with Mr. Ness and I-refuse-to-blog-Sandra.  And a handful of other relationships that are growing in ways that make working worthwhile. 

Delivered five seminars with experienced professionals, three leadership level workshops, one top leader event and two corporate speeches.  This doesn't count three or four significant one-time events I organized for others.  It really an active year overall.  Felt like progress when I looked at it that way - even with a few "well, you win some and lose some" type experiences along the way.   

Near year-end, both G&S and my own company held separate "away days" to look over the big picture. In both cases we took strong steps toward a common vision of the future. I hope we are also in both cases building a positive, enthusiastic community understanding and spirit with those who come in contact with us. The first steps in really standing for something meaningful.

Personal life. 

I reread my personal journal from last year and saw that I often noted "I am tired."  Really often.  Startling in hindsight given that I don't travel much anymore.

I've underestimated the energy it's really taking to create a business.  On weekends, often I am tired.  I should expect it and plan a little slow-down to help myself out.

It seems also that -- especially after the summer -- I slipped into longer working hours that squeezed out my creativity a bit.  You noted of course my blog slow-down.  When I lose my time to read, write and reflect, I limit my horizon. Eventually it limits my voice.

Big surprise working with the Professional Women's Group of Zurich:  how much work it was to get it operating with energy.  It's been worth the effort.  By year-end we turned a corner toward being able to grow new ideas.  The Executive Committee is wonderful and enthusiastic.  I'm making real friends among the group, which is one big reason to be part of it.

I learned not to make myself suffer more than necessary over the things that worry me.  And not to "niggle" myself over little stuff that takes time away from the people I love in my life.  Real friendships develop and evolve over time. They outlast many tests.  I saw this with many people this year: my mother, brothers, men, long-time women friends and an important circle of people I've known a while in different contexts than where I live now and need to figure out how to correspond with more personally.

I am MUCH healthier overall.  This has less to do with my physical health than it does with my emotional well-being.  (Although, I think the two are closely linked.)  The feeling of living in a community, not isolated by travel or work.

I learned a lot about the Zurich community by participating in it.  I've made only a small start by getting to know the SWS non-profit organization that helps the homeless.  It made me look at reality, at things I fear like "drug problems" and at the people who put so much professional time into helping. 

Often in my journal I wrote, "I am home."  By that, I refer to Zurich, to the kind of work I do, to the quality of friends I have here and to simple things like taking coffees (equally often, Proseccos) together. Or sometimes walking home on my own and stopping on the bridge over the Limmat river to admire the lights, or the sounds, or the people.   This is perhaps the source and symbol of my long walk towards my real self. 

2008 Goals

In 2008, I reach the horizon of my Five-Year Vision I wrote in 2002.  I took a good look at that too. Updated it.  More to follow.  I hope you'll see it in my actions and words. I noted five goals for the year (no resolutions - just goals) based on three things I intuitively "know to do."

I look forward to sharing them with you.  Meanwhile, let's get started! 

Comments

[Helen Palmer]

Great post and happy professional new year to you too :-)
Helen