.....da is already getting a bit fuzzy at the number, so I'll spare us all another review of the year.....though, well, not quite, it's just.... different.
The beginning of the year is a good opportunity for me to review my mistakes, missteps and head-shaking actions; or to put it positively: I would like to take a look at my opportunities to improve my performance, my enormous potential for development and the enhancement of my social skills.
Firstly, please understand that my lists here are not in logical or chronological order; I am simply writing as things occur to me - which brings us to the first point.
A little more structure wouldn't do me and my work any harm - I'm sure some of my friends and family can confirm that. How often do I walk into one of our offices without being asked and rave about the latest idea, about something I've just read and we absolutely(!!) have to do, I've just got the best logo idea in the world or why something is the way it is. Looking back, I imagine what it must have looked like in some people's heads: oh please please please not again, let the cup pass me by, where can I give notice? Or something like that.
It's not always easy for others who don't (or can't) know that the origins of our company were just as chaotic - for years, and we still managed somehow. But "somehow" is also not a real strategy and since we have been growing continuously (50% increase in turnover every year to date) and expanding our teams, there are many great people who make sure that things now have more structure at our company. At this point - and on behalf of many - a huge thank you to Mike, Robert, Christian W., Christian B. and our Director of First Impressions, Gabi! And soon I'll have more structure too, I promise!
At the end of the second quarter, I took a close look at the last quarter of 2022 and Q1 2023 and actually only saw black clouds and the light at the end of the tunnel was definitely an oncoming train! In fact, I predicted that Q1 would probably be the worst ever; as things stand today, we can probably assume that this was a major miscalculation, as our pre-booking status is nothing to cheer about, but it's not a complete disaster either. In fact, the last quarter of 2022 was one of the best ever! But why was I so wrong? I don't know.
I have a few suspicions and many facts were not necessarily recognisable, but ultimately the result of the misjudgement remains, even if it turns out well for us. My learning from this? Sometimes I'm simply not right and others know better - and that's a very good thing. Another learning from this is that I will write my "forecasts" with much less drama in future, which doesn't just help me!
In terms of interpersonal relationships, there was also a lot of friction between us; some decisions in the management team drove me to the brink of insanity - and some went well beyond that. Were the others to blame? Of course, of course. I'd like to say that, but it's not quite true. There are two sides to every story, of course, but when you're balancing between handing over tasks, giving yourself a completely free hand and not losing sight of the company, yes, you can get out of step.
In the meantime, however, we have positioned ourselves well; shaken up, reorganised, refocused and now it feels really good for everyone involved and that makes me very confident about the future.
No, I'm not getting upset! Not me! I've told myself that over and over again and I've very often managed to completely ignore this good intention. What bothers me the most - always afterwards, of course - is the incredible amount of wasted energy that comes with it and, as a silver-ager, energy doesn't get any better with age, says my wonderfully clever wife, among others, who is much better at it than I am.
But! That will change, for sure. It will now become one of my priorities. For me, and especially for others, because with my emotional package I am not always a pure source of joy for my fellow human beings. Emotional package....I'm protecting that word.
I'm really looking forward to the new year and everything that's coming; with our great teams all over Germany, it's going to be fantastic, or as our Feel Good trainer Annette put it perfectly: #letsmake2023epic
