2023 Anchors: Relaxing and Rejuvenating This Holiday Season

My cadence on writing is not set by timelines or a specific schedule. It’s anchored on two questions: 'Do I have something worth sharing?' or 'Is this something I’d want to read months or years from now to help me remember or relearn from my past?'

It’s been a year since my last post, my holiday anchors for 2022, which in many ways echoes the same sentiment I have this year: that there is more to do than there is time. As I reflect back on the past year, it has been a whirlwind - a year of unfinished to-do lists, and a broader test of patience and empathy.

Admittedly, 2023 has been fraught with challenges, both in business and the world at large. Periods of whirlwind have tested me both personally and as a leader: staying focused, while helping colleagues and teammates navigate emotions; remaining driven by the mission ahead, but empathetic to the feelings of here and now, and ensuring we serve as thoughtful partners for clients and the changes they are also experiencing.

I’m conscious, too, of the importance of acknowledging the joyful moments with gratitude. I experienced a personal whirlwind (of the positive kind) as my wife and I welcomed our first child to the world, which, 8 months in, has been the most rewarding experience of my life.?

Fatherhood has focused my north star on the human side of business, enabling me to stay focused, while remaining empathetic as a leader against a backdrop of economic challenges, geopolitical conflict, and the new world opened by advancements in Generative AI.

This year has been all about balance: balancing emotions, balancing time & energy, balancing empathy and ambition, balancing new and old. As we look towards 2024, this theme of balance will continue to be grounding.

However, I plan to also embrace being more present and focused. This makes absolute sense as a new parent – to be more impactful as a father and husband - but it's also vital in business to navigate uncertainty, unlock new opportunities and achieve success.

At Factor, our mission is to help the largest companies in the world improve transactional legal work. This is going to require shifting the relationship legal professionals have with their business, with technology and process, and with the law itself.?

Maintaining balance while pushing forward, growing and building won’t be easy, but I’m excited about the challenge, and intend to use this holiday period to take a pause, to refresh, reset and recharge for the next chapter.??

Without further ado, my list of anchors as we head into this 2023 holiday break.?

• What I’ll watch: This year has been punctuated by uncertainty, both in business and across the world. So, I’ll be looking for escape in some familiar Christmas classics, like Elf and Home Alone 2, plus a new modern holiday comedy, Office Christmas Party.
• What I’ll read: While I love reading books about history and philosophy, this year I pivoted towards autobiographies and learning?– from the lived experiences of others. Piled on my nightstand are Alan Greenberg’s Memos from the Chairman and Shoe Dog by Nike co-founder Phil Knight. The Ride of a Lifetime by Disney CEO Robert Iger is one of my favorites - although his story still feels quite unfinished now. I’m looking forward to reading Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk, and – in honor of the late, great Charlie Munger – will dig into Poor Charlie’s Almanack.
• Who I’ll spend time with: My wife and I are looking forward to our first Christmas with our son (our first visit to Santa Clause in some time :)), and of course our dog, Dobby. I’m also excited to spend some quality time with extended family – my siblings, parents, and some new family members as well.
• What I’ll drink: There is something steadfast and reliable about the classic elegance of a martini, so I’m going to enjoy Dirty Vodka and the comeback story of 2023, Espresso Martinis.
• What I’ll eat: The holidays are all about homecooked family meals, but if this year has taught me anything, it’s that life is short – too short not to eat cake. So, I’ll be picking up some of my favorite New York desserts: chocolate cake from Mah-ze-dahr Bakery, as well as some Bourbon Pecan Pie from Anton’s, and, of course, a ricotta cheesecake from Rocco’s Pasticceria. ?

Whatever your anchors look like this holiday season, I hope you’ll make time to do some of the things you love. It can often feel like there is not enough time when unfinished to-do lists weigh heavy on your mind, but it’s only by pausing to reflect on what we have learned can we really understand the patience and empathy it took us to get here.? Here's to a balanced, present, and successful 2024!

What’s on your list of anchors this year?

Take a look at my 2022 and 2021 Anchors.