2020 has offered me so much

A positive headline about 2020, surely it is a typo. There is no doubt that we have all been challenged by this year. However, there are positive consequences to challenge that still allow us to show gratitude. 

Before you react to this idea, just pause, and think a moment. 

Let me explain more what I mean. 

People have lost loved ones, are out of work, and are facing devastating hardship. The news never seems to get better, and the numbers are just horrendous. If Chris Whitty appears on your TV screen one more time, you might genuinely cry. 

In short, there has been genuine suffering. For those who are experiencing this, I want to first send you love.

I also want to suggest that seeking gratitude for the good moments is also a gift from me to you. You can choose to receive the gift or decline but reflect a minute and consider the possibility. When we reshape our experiences to show us our strengths, the learning and the new opportunities offered, we feel better. And who doesn’t want to feel better this year? 

So, in this article, I am going to focus on what I have loved about 2020. Take a seat and sit back and see if this triggers in you some optimism too.

Persistence

My goal at the start of 2020 was to get out there more. I wanted to seek more media opportunities and get outside my comfort zone. Sure, by March, this idea seemed as likely as me dancing on the moon. But complicated doesn’t mean impossible, and I decided to still stick with my plan. 

And just look what I did.

In July, BBC Look North asked me to compile a video travel report of my trip to Dubrovnik during the pandemic, helping to encourage others to travel again. I have also been on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Sheffield, Capital FM, ABC Australia and in The Sun. I stayed positive, pushed myself forward, and succeeded in my 2020 goal. 

From this success, I realised that one of my positive character qualities that gets me through life is persistence, I am so thankful for this.

Continuing my learning and being agile

But how can you still get out into the world when the world has shut down? Well, getting press opportunities was only possible because I had built my reputation as the go-to expert for everything social media and digital. Once you appear in the press once with an up-to-date vision of your topic, you will be asked back. Therefore, as I have done since the start of my career, I have worked to become the go-to guy.

Yet, I have also surprised myself with my ability to be adaptive. I have learnt, like all of you, to work from home. I have had to show great agility and imagination to help my clients pivot during the lockdown and find new ways of being successful. While the impact on my mental health has been as challenging as it has for most, I feel proud that I have found a way to continue my success. I have learnt to trust that workflow will come in waves, and the quiet moments won’t last.

I have also learnt to let go of bad situations with clients. I have growing confidence to cut my losses with frustrating clients or those who pay late. Gaining the confidence to give value to my work and set boundaries has been a tremendous gift in 2020.

But I should also mention the positives here too. For the first time, I felt confident to show vulnerability to past clients. When I started to lose work at the start of the pandemic, I realised I needed to reach out and ask if people could pass on my name to others they know. I was blown away by the recommendations and the effort people put into helping my business survive and without judgement. I am busier than ever because of the natural kindness of people who want to help those in their community.

Pushing beyond perceived limitations

There was also the opportunity to use the time lockdown gave us to succeed in projects we have meant to do for a while. I have wanted to start a podcast for years – as I always dreamed of working on the radio, and this is my radio show. Finally, with the launch of The Social Sanctuary, I have fulfilled this goal. I’m so proud of the success of the podcast. It has had over 1000 listens since it was launched in September. The feedback has been fulfilling and made pushing through those mega-nerves worthwhile!

Probably the most important less in this time of crisis is to value my time. I have shown patience when projects have taken longer because I realise good things take a little longer. I have recognised the need to charge my worth and accept payment at a level that reflects my success. I have understood the need to set aside moments for my friends and family, and I have never felt closer to these people.

This year more than ever, we should embrace what Christmas means. It is what I believe my lesson will be from December 1st. There is no shame in embracing an opportunity to have fun and spend time with family. I am going to be carving out a period in December where work can wait but love for my closest community cannot.

Dreams can come true

Remember I said I dreamed of working in radio. Well, earlier this month I got to share my story on Radio 1. I would never have believed that 2020 would be the year that I heard my voice on national airwaves. 

So, you see, 2020 has been an excellent year for many reasons. It took me a while to see what I had to be grateful for, but now I have, I feel so much more optimistic for the future—time to have a wonderful Christmas and look forward to an incredible 2021.

And to you – thanks so much!

My final message is one of thanks to you. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me this year. Without your warmth and encouragement, I wouldn’t have been able to find this positive energy in dark times. So, thank you all so much.