Perspectives

For years December 31 would fill me with nostalgia - whether I was happy to put the year behind me or grateful for all it had been, I was always reflective on the year's challenges, accomplishments, lessons, blessings, etc.  I'm also a forward thinker. With the nostlagia, or perhaps in spite of, I am always looking ahead, excited for new beginnings. 

I do love new beginnings.  January 1 is a natural one but there are other less obvious ones too.  This December 31 I'm less reflective than usual.  I suppose it's because there has been so much going on - it's hard to find the time to sit and really reflect - at least the way I am used to reflecting.  That said, I'm taking a few minutes now - in between a preschooler's demands and beckoning work - to give thanks for the many blessings, accomplishments and support I've had this past year.

Professionally, I've done a tremendous amount in a year.  It's a funny business in that one can't look back over a week or month ands see the progress she makes but rather, look back every six months or so and take stock.  I took my company into more of an agency representing performing artists and added two artists to the roster by the summer.  I had a beautiful roster brochure designed and dropped my first big mailer to my presenter colleagues, and added a few more conferences into the marketing mix.  The biggest accomplishment would be saying yes to merging with my colleague Betsy DuBois (and her agency) and in 2012, growing the roster again to represent many of her artists as she retires. 

My network has grown exponentially: I have more and better relationships, amazing mentors, and artist colleagues who teach me something new each day.  I'm constantly thrown into new situations, sometimes unprepared, but always with the attitude that I'll somehow figure it out.

I've had opportunities to contribute to various blogs and grow my own blog with posts and page views.  My alma mater interviewed me for a great feature in their business school publication - such an honor.  And it goes without saying that this industry affords me the opportunities to see a number of performances, many comped. 

I'm grateful for the support of my family especially in these early startup times.  I'm grateful for the time I can carve out to have lunch with my son, pick him up and head to the park, or visit the museum or see a children's show.  Being self employed has its challenges but it also allows me some flexibility in balancing work and family. 

So what does 2012 have in store?  I can't say.  And many moons ago this goal oriented over achiever stopped making resolutions - because something was always going awry, like, well, being laid off, and it was forever making me feel like a huge failure - so I said no more resolutions (back in like, 2005).  I already know what I want but it's best to be open to how it can look and all means of how to get there.

To you and yours --- many blessings for a happy 2012.