My prediction for your 2023

We took some of our kids (others had to work) into New York this fall, and, on a lark, we visited a psychic. It was my first experience, and it was fascinating to watch. She was an older woman, dressed how I expected her to be — a little flamboyant in her flowing gown of reds and golds. There was no crystal ball, but that was all that was missing from my expectations.

When she settled in to give her reading for each person, she would gaze into their eyes and hold that look for what seemed to be an uncomfortable length of time. And then she would begin to tell them what was in store for them.

What was remarkable is that each person got the reading they’d expected. Or perhaps — the one they needed. The one who was worried about relationships, got that. The one who had uncertainties about their career, got that. And the one who was hoping for a big life change, got that reading.

As you might be able to discern, I’m skeptical about psychics. I don’t know if they’re real or not and I suspect some are, while others are brilliant performers who can read people’s body language and respond accordingly.

I’m not wearing a flowing gown (although I have the legs to pull it off!) and I can only metaphorically stare into your eyes, but I do have some thoughts about what 2023 will bring to you.

You:?I think 2023 is the year when you decide it’s time to see 2020 as a distant memory and shake its influence from your shoulders. You’ve been carrying so much extra weight (worry, fear, indecision) from the pandemic and its made you bone tired.

You now realize that you not only survived it, but some pretty good innovations, people, new clients and shifts in your business came out of it. Instead of seeing it as the monster breathing down your neck — you will recognize it as a part of the past and move into 2023 lighter, more optimistic, and feeling some of your mojo coming back.

Your clients:?They need your smarts far more than your execution. You’re going to come up with some new ways to teach them what you know, share your expertise, and be their thinking partner. Your agency is going to surprise them by introducing them to an idea/tactic that is going to make a huge shift for them.

You’re also going to lose a client who has somehow gotten a little lost in the shuffle. You’ll recognize your mistake, but it will be too late. The silver lining is that you’ll take what you learned and change some processes, so you don’t get bit by that again.

The big news on the client front is that you’re going to land one of the largest client in your agency’s history. And they’re going to knock on your door because of something you taught/shared.

Your people:?Some of them will break your heart in 2023. One or two are feeling unseen and under appreciated. But they’re trudging on silently, hoping you’ll notice. It won’t be until the first one resigns that it makes it to your radar screen.

You’ll also find the courage to make a significant hire in 2023. One you’ve needed for a while but were too skittish to make. This new role/person is going to shake things up and set the course for your agency to achieve a new level that you’ve been hungering to reach.

Money:?The first quarter is going to be lean, like it usually is. But things open up by Spring and by summer you’re worried about your tax bill. Many of you will finally get serious about proactive tax planning and save yourself a chunk of change.

That’s what my crystal ball is telling me. What was most fascinating about our NYC psychic experience was how my family reacted to their reading. One has taken it as gospel proof of what is to come. Another is using it as inspiration to make different choices so that the future that was promised could come true. A third seems to be ignoring it completely — and is moving further away from the predicted outcomes.

Maybe that’s the power of the reading? That it shows us a path and then we get to decide if we’ll just allow the fates to intervene and make it so if we want to use it as a map to a destination we desire or if we are just going to go on as we always have.

My predictions. Your choices.

I may not believe in psychics. But I do believe we control our destiny. And I believe in you. We’re here to help you choose wisely in 2023.

Happy New Year!

Drew McLellan, with Agency Management Institute, produces a weekly newsletter with updates, tips, and market information of value to marketing agencies, owners, and employees. If you'd like to receive the weekly newsletter, follow this link to subscribe.