2020 Reflections

Reflections 2020, photo by Helraiser

Yes this year was unbelievable! Not in my lifetime could I ever imagine we’d be in a lockdown. And that there would be a pandemic. And now we are in a second lockdown here in Toronto.

This is the stuff of sci-fi movies and we lived it in 2020.

We experienced the Black Lives Matter movement. And perhaps finally some progress to see that this history is acknowledged and the work required to eradicate and heal is begun. 

While there is more to do on an individual and collective level, there is some light.

I had high hopes for this year - 2020. This was the beginning of a new decade.

My word of the year was BOLD.

I was going to finish my book, travel every month, and lose 20 pounds. Ha!

I also thought about starting a podcast and gaining several new clients and starting my scholarship fund. Ha!

Well, many of those goals did not happen. Now that I think about it none of them did! 

And my vision for 2020 turned out a little differently for sure. Like many of you, the world turned upside down, sideways, and all over the place.

From home-schooling to business shutdowns to personal losses. Businesses laid off employees or cut salaries. People lost loved ones and couldn’t gather to mourn together. People cancelled weddings and events and so much more.

But, we didn’t cancel love, resilience, and hope. 

We witnessed a shift in humanity. A turning point? 

Could this world-wide crisis lead to a change? A world of #humanfirst of #hrwithheart?

Human relations with heart. Now that’s a world to envision.

A world where everyone is lifted up, and inspired. 

Workplaces where respect is the norm.

Where each individual is given an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to give back.

Normally I’d review all of the amazing things I did this year. A new travel place, a try at baking, perhaps something out of the ordinary as a challenge. Those were fewer this year.

Yet there were a number of blessings despite this year. I have been told that I don’t celebrate my accomplishments enough! So here are a few highlights.

I read about 25 books (maybe more…) both fiction and non-fiction and that was so relaxing. Over the last few years, I’ve been back to reading which is something I have always loved.

In addition to the personal book club I started, I participated in a social justice book circle and dug deep with some wonderful colleagues and these new friendships will continue into the future.

Gratitude

I was voted in as Chair of Mentorship for the HRPA West Chapter. This was not an acclamation, there were three of us who ran, and now we are all working together on the committee to take the program to the next level. 

I was also one of the Top Five Finalists for the Futurpreneur Mentor of the Year. What an honour and surprise that was. Although I wasn’t voted as the “winner” I feel so grateful to be able to mentor young women entrepreneurs and this past year we all learned a lot from each other about managing through adversity.

I held a series of mentor circles for HR professionals, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to help them navigate through the pandemic, and make new connections while co-creating. One of my goals is to impact the lives of others through mentorship so this was another way to do that.

This was out of my comfort zone as was the Instagram Live Monday Mentor Moments series I did at the end of this year.

This truly ended up living my word of the year BOLD. When I think back to being a young student and crying when I had to do presentations well, let’s just say “I’ve come a long way!”

The Life Works Well team grew in the summer. There were several co-op students who lost their opportunities due to Covid-19, so I took on a few of them so they could graduate! I realized that helping others grow is something that is part of my DNA.

I helped some amazing clients navigate through one of the most difficult times in my career. This year made me appreciate the importance of strong and inspirational leadership even more. 

I worked with some amazing contractors and developed friendships with many of them. Thank you for helping me grow! Our blog and newsletter, social media, and website updates could not have happened without you. Thank you!

There was so much more to be grateful for but most of all I was able to spend TONS of quality time with my immediate family, long walks, movies, many meals, and chats. Yes, there may have been a few blowouts but overall the slower pace was good for all of us.

I am continuing to reflect on the year, which honestly felt like one really really long one! 

While there were many challenges, I’ve learned that how we react to them and how we treat others is all that matters.

Every day that I am here is the biggest blessing of all.

In the spirit of continuing to give, we donated to several charities this year, Black Lives Matter Toronto, Friends of Rondeau, Nova Hudson in memory of Ralph James Simpson, OLS School Council, and Children’s Aid Foundation to name a few.

As we head into 2021 I hope that you stay safe, healthy and learn to appreciate the things that matter most to you.

See you next year!