Debra Schindler-Boultinghouse, President
As much as New Year’s Eve is a time for looking ahead at all that a new year offers, both personally and professionally, I’ve found that one of the most productive exercises is careful reflection back on the previous year.
I think often around this time, we tend to over-focus on re-energizing for the coming year. We focus on how we’re going to work-work-work to sign more and bigger deals; how we’re ready to try even harder to secure and grow our share of the market. But when you embrace the zeal and the promise of the new year without giving yourself a foundational understanding of how and why you succeeded – or didn’t! – in the previous year, you truly equip yourself for success.
I’ve learned in reflecting on the previous year not to be critical or place blame for mistakes, nor to pat myself on the back (too much!). Instead, I find going back through my notes, reading email conversations that were particularly good or bad for whatever reason, talking with and listening to Genesis team members, looking back at big VoIP or structured cabling deals that we signed or lost – all really help me to understand how to succeed in a new year.
So my challenge as we ring in the New Year to the Genesis customers, Genesis team members, my colleagues who also own their own businesses…anybody, really, is for ever minute you spend planning and prepping and re-energizing: spend a minute reflecting, considering, and most of all being grateful!
We’re looking forward to another great year at Genesis – during which we’ll celebrate our 30th birthday! What a ride 2012 was, and the last 29 years…I’ll leave you with simple Happy New Year, from the Genesis team, and the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne!
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
We two have run about the slopes,
and pickedthe daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
-By Debra Schindler-Boultinghouse