Work Less, Earn More in '24!

One of my clients had this written on his whiteboard.? I loved it and shared it with a few people. They loved it too, so I used it as the title for my last Indie Cambs column of the year: Work Less, Earn More in '24!? And the day it was published I got an email that said: "I love all your writing but this one really resonated with me", and there's nothing better for a writer to hear so that made me very happy!?

Love bombs!?

I've spent all year talking about how lucky I am to work with amazing people doing wonderful things and so I thought when I invited the members of Drive, the Collaborative Network to send each other Secret Santa messages it would be a bit of fun. What I got instead was a deluge of love bombs! These folks REALLY like each other - just look at this small selection of messages I was asked to pass on anonymously:

• I’m inspired by your creativity, your ingenuity and how you “work out loud”, sharing as you go.
• Your knowledge and insights on so many topics, as well as your curiosity and sense of humour are a real inspiration. Thank you.
• You are one of the nicest people I’ve ever ever met. I love your candid humour and the way that you always give honest and straightforward answers.
• Every message and conversation with you is a joy and filled with kindness.
• You are funny and warm and generous with your knowledge and I love talking to you.
• I admire the grace with which you navigate your way through life.??
• By relentlessly questioning yourself and sharing your discoveries with us, you have become a teacher for us all.?
• I love your warmth and generosity of service. You're always willing to help me out and you inspire me regularly.
• I’d like to thank you for consistently showing up with practical guidance. You exemplify the values of experience and empathy freely given.
• I love your?energy and feel like you're someone I can trust.
• It’s inspiring to get to know about your work and how you are using your expertise to try to make the world a better place for all of us. It’s been a privilege to get to know you.
• You are sage, wise, warm and make?me aspire to be a better human being.
• Every word I hear from you is like a warm breath of fun, joy and possibility.?
• You are creative, uber-wise, fun and full of surprises! Thank you for sharing your insights with us.?
• It is a delight to see the sparkle in your eyes and on your smile that reflect the fun and joy you bring to so many others as you live your mission and purpose.?
• You’re an inspiration, helping us all think differently about?how we show up to the world. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.?
• You have such a calm presence, seemingly unflappable and I love your creativity and connectivity. You stand for your community and you are making a difference.
• I watch you give your knowledge, experience and wisdom so generously and it is an inspiration to see such kindness in the world. Thank you.
• So many things you've said have made me think, given me inspiration, and helped me along in some way. I'm full of admiration!?

And this one is for the whole group:?

"I want to say just how much I value everyone. Any group that supports individuals, allows diversity, (because this is a pretty quirky group of people) and that thoroughly encourages curiosity, question asking and daftness, is pretty damn wonderful."

I love the richness of thoughts and experiences that can be shared and held within a group, in a way that no one individual could possibly do. Together we can and do understand more of what it means to be an individual while enjoying and appreciating being together. We make space to listen and to value all our differences. If you'd like to be part of this next year, you know what to do!?

A wish ...

In the words of Neil Gaiman:?

I hope the year ahead is kind to us, and that we will be kind to each other, even if the year isn't.?

Small acts of generosity, of speech, of reaching out, can mean more to those receiving?them than the people doing them can ever know. Do what you can and receive the kindnesses of others with grace.

Hold on. Hang on, by the skin of your teeth if you have to. Make art -- or whatever you make -- if you can make it. But if all you can manage is to get out of bed in the morning, then do that and be proud of what you've managed, not frustrated by what you haven't.

Remember, you aren't alone, no matter how much it feels like it some times.

And never forget that, sometimes, it's only when it gets really dark that we can see the stars.

Happy Christmas!? Best wishes and thank you for being a reader!?