Looking Back on the Year That Was

Did you get around to doing everything you planned in 2022?

No? Me neither. But I did get to do some pretty cool stuff.

December is always a good time to stock the previous twelve months. In the past, I would look back and feel like I hadn’t done enough with my year and that others had achieved so much more. But all my work on myself has paid off, and I no longer compare myself to others' achievements – I now look for those standout moments and am happy to be cheering from the sidelines.?

Here are my top 5 Highlights of 2022 – not in any particular order:

Our expansion plan was ambitious, and I couldn’t be more proud of our teams. We’ve been to ribbon-cutting ceremonies this year than we can remember! We even opened our first clinic in Florida , so 2022 has been a bumper expansion year. Well done to everyone for making infusion services available to our patients and waving the Palmetto flag high across the southeast and beyond. Onwards and upwards.

We can talk about servant leadership, but “doing servant leadership” is at the heart of it all. A special shout-out to Scheri Force and Chrissie Jenkins, LISW-CP , who are doing incredible work with the UPLIFT Encouragement Group events.? I am incredibly proud that this fantastic organization is creating communities where patient advocacy gives everyone a voice and where patients can support each other. Well done!

A major highlight of my year – is the fantastic people who have crossed my path. I have traveled quite a bit this year, and wherever I have gone, I have come to meet people with extraordinary stories that have inspired me in many ways. Whether it’s been connecting with Frank Abagnale (of Catch Me if You Can fame), sitting on a plane next to N'dea Jones , an Olympian basketball champion, or listening to the head of LinkedIn, Ryan Roslansky , share his vision for the new world of work. But it’s also the everyday people, the kid at church who has such a sense of self, the shop owner who goes the extra mile, and the waiter at our favorite Pawley’s Island restaurant. Remarkable people surround me, and everyone has a story!

I have done something this year that I never thought I would do. Write a book! Okay, well, I started in the previous year, so perhaps I’ll reword that – not only did I write a book, I finished writing a book! It’s called The Success Paradox - How to Win in Business And Life, and you will hear a lot about it in the New Year. To my writing partner Will Wilkinson and all the folks at Forbes – a huge thank you! It wasn’t easy, writing about myself and my life – the good and bad bits were tricky, but I got there, and I’m very excited to share it with all of you next year.

Lastly, I am grateful for the lessons learned that I have put into action. If I invest in my peace of mind, life takes care of itself. Just this month, I was about to get back into those old ways of overworking and not having enough time for rest, and I forced myself into a time-out – to reflect, take a breather and take note of everything I am grateful for.

So, in answer to my own question: Did I get to do everything I planned this year? Not all of it - but I went with the flow and found many extraordinary opportunities to learn and celebrate the ordinary.?

2022 has been a challenging year. Many of us found that it was a year of change and transition, and getting life back to normal” was a pipe dream. We came into 2022 feeling battered and beaten by the pandemic, but we have picked ourselves up and made things work. Nothing is perfect, but we are back in the game.?

I was wishing all my friends and colleagues near and far a happy and calm holiday season.?

All the best

Gary C. Cooper