If I were to choose a theme for me this year, it would have to be that I allowed inspiration to take a front seat in my life. Have I ever done that before? Maybe a few scattered times, but then there always seemed to be an interruption. Sometimes within my control, sometimes not. Life happens when you are living life. But now, as a grown-up (and by that, I mean past the age of 45), I really have discovered how to tap into my potential. Right now, I would say I am growing a tree of professions and it has three big thick branches, my novels, teaching writing, and being in the financial industry.
I can say that my novel is published because it’s true. I really did it. It feels pretty good, this potential tapping thing. I can remember what a voracious reader I was as an adolescent. Romance, classics, horror, espionage…I read it all and adored getting lost in a story. It was a hobby, perhaps an escape, and I always had an aspiration to write something grand but different. It took a long time to find the right story and then a long time to build the skill to tell it with honor. I don’t think my grandfather really knew the priceless inheritance he gave me when he handed me my ancestor’s story. It was important to him to preserve our family history and to pass it to me because he knew I cared about it. I’m sure he didn’t imagine me turning it into this novel and subsequent three-book series that is enjoyed by many (so far!). But I can hear him, like an angel on my shoulder, cheering me on. I think about my ancestor Robert and his bravery and tenacity and how those qualities were so prevalent in my grandfather. I think they are in me as well (thanks Grandpa!) and so the inheritance continues its travels through the generations. The second novel in the series is almost done, and then there will be the third. I am an author. I am writing books. It is a dream I never thought attainable. My life has moved in such a positive direction in the last twelve months and the anticipation for what is next is like an open field waiting for lightning to strike.
I am teaching a class! So, I now have this writing skill. I am a believer in giving back, in helping others, in paying it forward. What can I offer the world? Well, perhaps I can take all the things I have learned about writing, about being creative, and about bringing something special to life and teach others. I am going to bring back the concept of potential again because it’s important here. Part of learning to tap it is surrounding myself with the right people. Friends and mentors that inspire, that build, that help me to fly. That is how this class came about, through collaboration with my publisher and great friend Stephanie Larkin. What a powerful experience it was to research the curriculum and create the worksheets and slides. The video series uses conversation, not lectures, to illustrate each element of creative writing. This is something that is unique to our class and we had a lot of fun crafting the content. The course is comprehensive and takes our writers from concept, to story and character development through to editing. It is an exciting new endeavor, and I am proud of the work we did. I am looking forward to hearing from our participants and can only dream about helping someone else fulfill theirs.
I haven’t forgotten that I can help people build financial security.This teaching thing is not necessarily new, I am just not sure I ever thought of my career in financial planning as “teaching”, but it is. When I first began in the financial field, I did not have a particular type of client I wanted to work with. I had a vision of creating value so that every interaction mattered.
I like to focus on decisions and risk. No matter what you do it is a decision. If you do nothing, you are deciding and that carries risk. It may feel safe, but it may not be, it might make a situation worse. If you decide to change something, there is a risk associated with that action. Is it better? Worse? We can only make sure we have all the pertinent information so that when we decide, we do so as informed people.
The other thing I love to do will sound rather mundane, but it is fundamental, and I cannot imagine clients reaching their goals without it. What on earth could I be talking about? Monthly net cash flow and a net worth statement. I know it doesn’t sound sexy, but if you don’t know how much money you have or don’t have at the end of the month, how can you know how much you can save for your future?
Potential. The potential to bring a story to life in a format that people can enjoy, to teach someone a new approach so that they can also fulfill their dream or to show someone they can become financially independent. For the confidence to even try to accomplish any of these things, I am eternally thankful. Thankful to the people in my life who inspire me to push the envelope, to try something new, to never give up. Without them there is no potential. With them, there is inspiration!
Potential. To find the humanity within ourselves that we did not know was there. This year has tested us beyond imagination, but it has also shown our resilience and our ability to help one another. Although there has been so much loss and heartbreak and financial devastation, I have seen more neighbors helping neighbors than ever before in my life. It is the light in this long dark tunnel. I am proud of us! I look forward to 2021 because the spirit of our community has proven to be strong. I feel the positive energy and I just know that we are going to be okay because we helped each other. In the end, that is really all that matters.
Categories: 2020 The Year in Review