It would be easy enough to wallow in the pain and self-pity but a lot of my positivity and creativity throughout this year has come from the simplest of things, the Vision Board (pictured below). Which has kept some semblance of order and direction to this car crash of a year.
I originally penned this list in March 2020; and below is my year in review. I’m not entirely sure where the year has gone specifically but here we go;
January & February were spent looking for work and contemplating moving from the UK…oohhhh the irony as International Travel all but disintegrated! The months between March & June disappeared in a haze of anxiety, grief, dark humour and kettlebell workouts.
July, August & September were incredibly difficult but special none-the-less, as we capitalised on some freedom & basked in the joy that was a small family unit making the most of time spent together.
October, November & December brought more hard emotions, a new job, a house move & learning how to be an employee and a manager of people again!
Oh and 3 lockdowns, Brexit and Bill-Bloody-Bailey winning strictly…I mean, what a year, not one easily forgotten.
All told and given the circumstances of 2020, (for those of you new to this blog, see the Social Isolation Blog 5 & Blog 6 for the detail) – I’m considering 2020 a “Draw” –
To find a sporting metaphor / analogy - It’s akin to the batting of James Anderson & Monty Panesar in the 2009 Ashes in Cardiff. 2020 is Australia and we [England] are trying to survive until Close of Play on Day 5 of an Ashes Test, with 10 & 11 at the crease. It’s about to turn 7pm and Ricky Ponting shakes your hand and acknowledges that you’ve done just enough to thwart his best efforts.
I suggest you watch the highlights here – and look at the sheer and unrelenting relief in those two cricketers as they walk off the field..
I don’t anybody who hasn’t had that look on their face this year…
Well 2020 – you tried, you almost won but we both walk-off knowing that we get to fight it out next year to see who really has got what it takes to win.
SO let’s go through the Vision Board and enjoy my self evaluation report card below -
Firstly; you’ll notice it’s not a collage or some sort of cheesy list of feelings – it is filled with achievements I want for myself and my family, it is all about what I want to see in the future! If however you fancy an afternoon of cutting, sticking & colouring in (or Geography as it is known in school) go right ahead!
Point 1 – “A job I feel valued [in] and excited about”
When you lose your job, and go through what I have in the last 16 months; your desire to find meaning and worth can overtake the sense and perspective required to find the right job. When desperation sets in you can find yourself prepared to “Take Anything” - I worked hard and even turned down a job. By waiting and being diligent in my search I found my current job for which I am so grateful and know how lucky I am. As Commercial Operations Manager at Waddesdon Manor I have found a balance of Retail, Hospitality and Large Events coupled with some of the most wonderful Colleagues and Employees you could hope for, a place I can call home for many years to come.
Status: Achieved
Point 2 – “Have a collection of 50 Recipes for a [Cook]book”
It's a collection but it ain't pretty – you’ll have to wait and see how this idea progresses in 2021
Status: Achieved, sort of, but Not a Cookbook yet…
Point 3 – “1000+ Followers on Instagram”
Frustratingly I am 160 followers away from hitting this target but the journey is more important than the destination I guess. Still plenty to learn regarding ‘Social Media’ but my photography, writing, interactions and relationship building is getting better every day. It however does not consume my life and making sure I am living in the real world rather than through a screen is always going to be my life goal.
Status: Close but No Cigar…
Point 4 – “Published 20 Videos of my own content to IGTV or YouTube”
40 IGTV Videos (Wine Tasting & Cocktails) – Most of these are on YouTube too…
42 Cooking Stories (on Instagram)
Every time I feel like I have neglected my creativity or missed an opportunity; I remember that I have beaten this target by 62 individually creative pieces of content.
Am I happy - Yes
Am I smug - Certainly
Am I going to stop asking rhetorical questions - I'll let you be the judge of that
Status: SMASHED IT!
Point 5 – “Updated my Blog Every Week without Fail”
This is where the unstoppable force meets the immoveable object. I love writing but it is a slow process and turning around this much content just became unrealistic. This point is very much ‘Classic Andy/Goose’ trying to do too much and not delivering on my targets. As I am not a natural writer I should have aimed for 2 updates a month… which would have felt more attainable. Having said that 20 posts since March is not a terrible outcome for the year.
Status: Fail…but still not giving up…
Point 6 – “Spent time with my family that creates memories I can cherish”
Too many memories to write about here properly, this year has been awful but it has also been magical.
I have seen my son grow-up more than most fathers would be privy to, I have fallen in love with my wife in a new and more profound way as she came to my emotional and mental rescue, my brother has managed his own adversity with such resilience, with a family that grew during the pandemic and a move to another country.
My incredible Mum has taken more heavy hits than most this year. I know she has a long journey ahead yet she still manages to exude power like an OG Boss for whom her family continue top be THE most important thing to her. She is an inspiration and I wish I could see her more.
Finally, my Mother & Father-in-Law have become foundational rocks of my day-to-day family life. I have no words to adequately show the love I have for them and the time we have spent together this Christmas.
Status: Achieved and it’s the only point that really matters, as it turns out.
I’m going to do another one of these Vision Boards for 2021 because momentum is not something I intend to relinquish without a fight, and by hook or by crook I have earned this momentum.
2020 you weren’t great but I don’t want to change or forget you; You may have made me a better person...
I just wish the we didn’t all have to pay such a high price…
Happy New Year everyone.
Eat & Drink with Love
All the best
Goose
Comments