What a year!!

I don't need to tell anyone that collectively, this year has been the oddest on record in our generation! At reaching 50 last year, I had successfully managed to cut work down to 1 or 2 days per week, and take the (semi) retirement that I had promised myself 30 odd years ago. It was all going nicely until BAM!!! Covid hit us. I went from working 14 hours a week, to working 14 hours a day, supporting the businesses that I had built up over the past 20 years, plus countless other businesses and individuals who's lives had been turned upside-down almost overnight. After the initial 'rabbit in headlights' situation that I found myself in at the very start of our three months 'lockdown', I realised very quickly that this was the ultimate sink or swim situation, and I had to start swimming, very fast! I didn't do this alone. I have an awesome team, and together we navigated the fear and confusion, reaching absolute highs, and plummeting to absolute lows throughout, but still moving forward, which is so crucially important, in life and in business. I was so pleased that my ethos of not having all my eggs in one basket, worked, (something that I teach all my business mentees), as where one business did abysmally, I had others that grew exponentially, and so we managed to actually grow our team, creating employment, and opportunities, at a time when so many were losing their jobs and businesses. Broader business plans that we had at the start of the year, we decided to bring forward, resulting in us opening a new Wellness Cafe, and taking a second training venue, to cope with the additional demand of people upskilling and retraining.

Like many people, the situation we have been in this year took its toll on my mental and emotional health. I certainly wasn't immune from it, and again, I have been blessed with having an amazing support network. I have many tools for self-help, and also work with some of the best 'talking-therapists' that one could ever meet. It totally reminded me how important self-care is, mentally, emotionally and physically. It reminded me how important it is to talk about how you feel. It reminded me that it is ok to ask for help. It reminded me how precious good friends are. It reminded me how important it is to look out for each other.

As I sit and write this, my thoughts go to next year. Right now there is still so much fear, confusion and sadness, at a time when most people are supposed to be happy, and I do not intend to take and of that negativity into 2021, however we end this year.

I am ending this year with hope and encouragement. I am ending this year with the knowledge that I am 100% responsible for how my 2021 turns out. That isnt new age claptrap, that is fact. I intend to cherish every moment and look for the good in everything. 2020 has been a year of lessons, and if there are more lessons to be learnt, I intend to take the positive from them. I intend to take my life to the next level, and want to take as many other's on that journey as possible.

I sincerely hope that your 2021 is one of joy and happiness, of great health and much success. With best wishes

Richard