A Thank You Note

Just over a year ago, I decided to take the plunge and set up WorkMatters after 30 years in a paid employment. Not exactly the most straightforward career option as many others know but the urge was strong and it was now or never.

Step 1 was committing to it. I think it was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who, about 200 years ago, captured the thought - “at the moment of commitment, the entire Universe conspires to assist you”. While not a concept that goes that far with the bank manager, it stayed with me as a motivational mantra that I turned to again and again.

Step 2, for me, was to be crystal clear about my purpose of going through all this change, a purpose that could sustain and energize me, particularly in the tougher days. In my case my purpose was simply to help people thrive in the changing world of work – and all that flows from that. Another grand idea perhaps but not exactly a bullet proof business plan! 

So, armed with a motivational mantra and grand purpose I set out on a path leading to ‘not-quite-sure’ and it all just kicked off from there…

I won’t bore you with any more steps or details but, after a year or so, I am doing just fine. I have done things and have been to places way beyond what I expected or hoped for a year ago. I have also encountered and worked with so many incredible people along the way. Of course there are also tough days, doubts and pinch points just like everyone has from time to time, but overall it has been brilliant.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” —William Arthur Ward

Reflecting on everything that has happened since starting out, I am struck by one over-riding feeling – Gratitude.

Gratitude to those who took the time to listen, to those who hired me and asked me for help. Gratitude to those who supported and encouraged in small ways and big. Gratitude to those closest to me who have put up with the disruption in our family life, the irregular hours and who take all the heat when you are creating something new.

They say you make your own luck and I guess that may be partially true. I consider myself extremely lucky but – in my experience – there has always been someone else involved in the equation. Someone choosing to say yes, someone choosing to pick up the phone or answer that email. There is always someone taking the plunge to go with you, to trust you, to offer a word of wisdom, to take a risk and most of all someone to simply take the time for you.

The universe may well conspire to assist us when we commit to something but it is not necessarily the result of some remote, cosmic force – it is usually the result of many individual, incremental human nudges of support, from people choosing to give you their time and their attention.

So this is just a note to say THANK YOU to all those who took that time – you don’t realize the positive impact that your accumulated actions and words have had. 

It is also a note to encourage all of us to give those around us our time and attention in whatever way we encounter it. 

Your actions may seem small to you but what you are actually doing is nudging the universe in their direction, probably without even knowing it. 

Happy Christmas to all and the VERY best for 2019.

Kevin

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WorkMatters provides people and leadership solutions for the changing world of work. Specializing in organizational agility and Future of Work consulting and training, we help leaders and their employees prepare for the future of work and the future workplace.

https://www.workmatters.ie/

[email protected]

Twitter: @WorkmattersC