And just like that 2019 is upon us. I took a much needed break over the holidays which included a full social media detox!

At first it was hard as I felt as though I was missing out, but after a few days I realised that I didn’t miss it at all, and I was able to find time to think. Really think.

As I sit here writing, the tune of a hymn from my boarding school days rings in my ears…

“Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the dance said He
and I’ll lead you all wherever you may be
and I’ll lead you all in the dance said He.”

As per the four or five years past, I have a word for 2019.

My word this year is ‘Dancer’.

This word has a lot of meaning to me at the moment. Partly because I have just been through what I can only describe as the hardest month I’ve experienced in 16 years of business. I won’t go into details, but lets just say that I was delivered a few hefty blows – four to be exact. And they left me reeling. For most of the month I operated in a fog. I could hardly see one step in front of me – let alone be an inspiring leader, creative director and consultant!

I was in shock. I was devastated and overwhelmed. I felt abandoned, but most of all I was cranky at myself. Why? Well, this is the second reason why Dancer is so important to me. It’s because I have been getting up everyday, putting on a brave face that was focused on pleasing everyone else but myself. Being a business owner is hard. There is so much responsibility. So much that it’s exhausting!

Apart from bringing in work, managing workflow, systems and procedures, servicing clients and paying the bills I also take my responsibility to look after my staff very seriously. You know the drill, pay wages, manage holidays, ensure that they are happy, inspired and motivated. Yet in the process of giving to clients, the team, contractors, suppliers, colleagues and everyone in-between, I was becoming depleted. No one (including me) was looking after my happiness, inspiration or motivation. I was running on empty with nothing to replenish my tank.

I was dancing to everybody else’s music.

But that was so 2018.

This year I am the Dancer.

I choose the music. I choose what beat I want to move to. I choose how fast or slow I want to dance and I choose who* I want to dance with. This is my year to move, pivot, leap and stretch.

I am excited.

And if I’m honest I am also a little nervous and more than a little petrified! But that’s good right?

The rehearsal has been practiced for 16 years. Now it’s showtime. The stage is set, the curtain is up. It’s time for me to press play and step into the spotlight to dance to the rhythm of my own drum.

“Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the dance said She
and I’ll lead you all wherever you may be
and I’ll lead you all in the dance said She.”

* I don’t work with assholes