On the 24th of April 2024 at 12:00 we still will cast off…

People who have known me for a while know it: April 24, 2024 at 12:00 .... that will be the moment to cast off. That is when I will go sailing with my family for at least 1 year. A dream that was spoken out loud exactly 8 years ago and has given direction to my business and private life ever since. I wrote this article about this subject a year ago. Now it is only 2 years until the moment. How is this plan going now? Time for an update!

A year with challenges

The preparations for the trip are still in full swing. Last year I was proud to announce: we are on schedule! But this year it's a little different. It needs a little extra effort. How was this possible? And how are we going to solve it?

Last year was not really great. And for the upcoming years we see a few special challenges too. Like many other businesses, FireWare had to deal with some setbacks the past year. And we're going to get to deal with some more in the upcoming years. Not that things are going badly for the company, certainly not. Just the opposite! We have been able to complete many beautiful projects and develop beautiful products. The company is healthy. But adapting to the current economic, logistical and social challenges requires a great deal of flexibility, resilience and perseverance. And that takes a lot of time and energy.

But, a goal is a goal. And we will go for it. Come rain or come shine. (most people who know me know that too).

FireWare continues to flourish and grow and ensures that emergency workers all over the world can become and remain competent. This in realistic training environments. With or without logistical, economic and social challenges. With or without Jacqueline and me.

And the credits for that belong to the super team from FireWare. ?All people with their "own" manual, the sincere will to do their best and who consider collegiality extremely important. But what really makes this team special is having the guts to share their own dreams and allow other people to help them achieve them.

Being dispensable gives freedom

Making yourself dispensable, that's what this is about. Not because the company wants to get rid of you, but because the company sincerely grants you the realization of your dreams. And vice versa, contributing to the company's dreams. And one or more setbacks? Then it’s time to step up one or more gears! Being dispensable gives energy. Being dispensable gives freedom. But getting to the point that you are dispensable is very, very hard work! Especially in these times.

The “reward” for being dispensable is not only about a long sailing trip, but also about being able to go on holiday undisturbed for an extra-long time, investing time in that renovation or that new house, doing more with that hobby, or starting that (parttime) business that you have wanted for so long.

The good thing is: FireWare will benefit from it. ?And benefit a lot. When I look at what we have automated and optimized over the past 2 years, it makes me proud. When I look at how the team has developed, it makes me besides proud also very happy. We wouldn’t ?have taken all the steps that we have taken ?if that date had not been set. We wouldn’t have taken all these steps if we didn’t?give “being dispensable” this value and importance.

Big nostrils and long arms

Becoming dispensable is hard work. And hard work gives you big nostrils and long arms. A quote from my grandfather that I often think about. And at FireWare we all have long arms and big nostrils. But sometimes hard work is not enough. Certainly not in these times.

This time has a new challenge: How do we keep work fun for everyone? Now and in the coming years? If we have to call again that a delivery is delayed or that we have to raise a price again? That again part of the delivered parts did not pass the internal quality control, causing even more delay? That's not a fun job. Certainly not for a team that has such a high drive to do the best and really wants to keep their promises and agreements.

The FireWare team is a team that (almost) always sees the positive. And that's something the whole team really wants. Because in addition to taking care of our customers and other relations, the team also wants to take care of itself and each other. But sometimes, and lately more and more often, things are beyond our control. And we have to (learn to) deal with that, too. In a way and with an intensity that we were not used to before.

Hold on to the dream

(Temporary) Leaving the company ensures growth and prosperity. Grow and thrive for the company, grow and thrive for the team and grow and thrive for the individuals. It is not about that date: but it is about the entire journey to that date. Even if something goes wrong. Make a plan, adjust it and stick to the plan. April 24, 2024 at 12:00 we still will cast off and I know that there will be a complete FireWare team who can and wants to give me that space and freedom.

I will temporary leave a team that takes good care of itself. And thus also takes good care of our customers and other relations. It sounds so simple: but certainly in the current circumstances it is not.

Why am I sharing this? Last year the point that I wanted to make is that everyone should share his or her dream out loud and work on its realization. How unreal that dream even may sound. A principle that I still believe in. This year I want to share my experiences about holding on to that dream. Even when it gets a bit hard.

Holding on to the dream was not easy last year. And it won't be for the foreseeable future. When I look in front of me I really see a few hurdles that we have to overcome. But I look forward to it with confidence. Bring it on! Because when I look behind me, I see the hurdles we've already crossed. And that makes me proud!?

Look aside

But I actually have the most beautiful view when I look aside: There are all those beautiful people (and there are many) who help to really achieve this goal, this dream. Just because they can, because they want to. Sometimes not even consciously. That makes me humble, grateful, happy and moved.

What's the most important thing I've learned this year? Look aside. There are a lot of very beautiful people there. And sometimes these are the people you wouldn’t expect. Some more in the foreground, some more in the background.

By looking too much forward and backward, these people are not always seen sufficiently and estimated at the correct value. These people also have their dreams. And if they look aside: then I want to be there for them to contribute to the realization of their dream.

When it gets hard for me? Then I look aside. And then I know that the extra step I have to take now really won't be a problem.

But isn't that true for all of us??