Courage

At the beginning of 2018, instead of identifying a bunch of New Year's resolutions to break, I chose one word, a single word "Discipline" to follow. I printed out a fun image of with a cat walking past a bunch of German Shepherds lined up shoulder-to-shoulder with the word "Discipline" printed boldly beneath the image - actually I printed two copies - one to post in my work office and one in my home office - a constant reminder.

With that word "Discipline" in mind, I focused on the financials, bringing down our start-up debt, and watching our accounts receivables closely. I focused on the next steps for Underhill, hiring our new staff engineer, Susan, and developing the firm's benefits package including an attractive healthcare plan. I focused on working to build stronger relationships with our clients, and welcoming new ones along the way.

Everyday those German Shepherds gazed over my shoulders from the photo on the wall as I pecked away at the keyboard, never letting me forget my word for 2018, "Discipline". I am pleased to report it paid off. The project count in 2018 increased by more than 90 percent, revenue by more than 40 percent, profit almost doubled, and I was able to pay off the personal debt from when I started the firm. Not bad for one word.

Of course 2019 brings new challenges, especially as the markets bounce like freshly popped popcorn. With the success of "Discipline" in 2018 I had initially planned to use it again for this year, but deep in my heart I felt the time was right for a new word.

New Year's Eve we re-watched the movie, The Darkest Hour, headlined by Gary Oldman playing Winston Churchill when I first took the helm as prime minister of Great Britain in May 1940. Nazi Germany's Wehrmact was sweeping across Western Europe and the demise of a free United Kingdom seemed to be at hand. Leaders were petitioning for a peace treaty with Hitler but Churchill would have none of - realizing the dire outcome in surrendering to the "corporal". In this Darkest Hour, Churchill gave his famous speech stating Great Britain would never surrender, and would fight whereever the fight was taken. It is with this back drop that I have chosen Courage as my word for 2019, following Churchill's words:

Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the Courage to continue that counts.