Reviewing SuperStar Communicator’s 2022

Is sharing your year’s achievements vain? This is something I have often asked myself. However, as I have run my business for a number of years and also celebrated the successes of others’ amazing achievements, I recognise the value of reflecting on the year; to celebrate what has been achieved and be aware of any challenges or blockages to learn from them. Also we can be so busy in our lives and businesses: marketing, sales and wins, there is little time to do some reflection. If you are reading this and you are in a corporate organisation, there could be specific projects; targets and aims for your future career: you are working hard to achieve these.

My singing teacher said to me when I was at music college “Take a moment to reflect where you are in your career journey. It can be so easy to be too busy to do this” And this is a tip I’ve embraced many times. Please feel free to share with me your “What a year this has been!” with me.

So here goes:

2022 was a year of contrasts. On the plus side, we delivered content face-to-face as well as virtually (hurrah!) This was in UAE as well as UK. But most of our work was still virtual. This has been an adventure with the opportunity to reach out to many more audiences globally. As we speak, I personally have delivered speeches; virtual workshops and facilitated masterclasses to clients from more than 100 countries worldwide. As an ex-Geographer it rocks my boat that these incredible people are from 6 continents. I am “putting it out there” that I would LOVE to deliver a virtual talk to people working in the Antarctic! As the year progressed there were more events live, I embraced any opportunity to facilitate workshops and speak! I do know that for companies, a major challenge is encouraging employees to return to the office for training and events. Here’s hoping more of this happens in 2023.

?I put onto the SuperStar Communicator the expert associates who are part of the SuperStar Communicator team. These talented individuals provide specialist knowledge to enhance the service we provide for clients.

One of the most exciting projects I was involved in, was the #breakthebias themed speeches and masterclasses to clients all over the world. The theme was for International Women’s Day 2022. The audiences I delivered masterclasses to were global; a highlight was delivering a speech and being on the panel at a virtual event to the Myanmar Chamber of Commerce. The fellow panellists included the deputy British Ambassador to Myanmar; a former British Ambassador; leading charity workers in the region and a representative from the UN. I am proud I continue to deliver masterclasses to mixed audiences virtually and face to face. The focus is on making better decisions.

Also, I spent some time in UAE; I am hugely grateful to Adel and Hashik who made my first visit so productive. I met and worked with some incredible people and am planning the next visit in March 2023. We make our own opportunities.

The challenge was that my Father’s health deteriorated rapidly at the beginning of 2022. Decisions had to be made about his care. In families, not everyone is able to make a decision and not everyone is ready for a family member to go into specialist care., So all of this was left to me, including my husband and I taking him to a wonderful nursing home. However, this included having very difficult conversations and seeing the situation change before other family members realising there were no other options available.?

In retrospect I recognise this had a real impact on my mental health for obvious reasons! I lot my MOJO. Clearly I needed to have a break, so had a quiet few months. However, I’m back behind the wheel now!

The message from this is that situations beyond our control happen. I am a firm believer in ‘Family comes first’ and my family needed me. I didn’t let any client down, but reduced my hours to manage the challenges. It is okay to do this.?

What was my learning:

Recognise when you need to take a break

1. You make your own opportunities
2. Keep the human connection into any business relationship
3. Respect others

I would love to know what your year was like; please feel free to share. And if I don’t speak to you before the end of 2022, all the very best for 2023.

Best wishes,

Susan