As the year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year that was 2020. It’s certainly been an interesting year to say the least and I think we all have experienced some level of challenge and uncertainty during this time. The biggest lesson it has taught me, is you can’t always rely on what we’ve always known, but you can certainly adapt! 

Things can change in a matter of moments and these changes can impact our lives greatly, it can impact our finances and the security of our future but they can also be humbling.

My top lessons for 2020 are:

Reinvent Yourself

There are always business opportunities if you reinvent yourself and your offering. You may need to find new ways to engage your customers and explore new ways to create engagement in your community, but where there is a will, there is a way! For me, my biggest lesson was bringing everything online. Many of you know that I’m not overly digitally savvy, so I pushed outside my comfort zone and entered the realm of full day and half day live zoom trainings and then ran a whole weekend bootcamp from a broadcast studio, just so my students could continue to learn and more importantly stay connected with like minded individuals. 

Embrace Technology 

Look I grew up in an era where social media wasn’t a thing but I’ve learnt through my business the power of technology and the need for it. “It’s a necessary evil” is what I’ll often say to my students. Technology has the power to connect you to thousands of people with a click of a button. An online presence and point of sale are mandatory for any commerce provider today.

Humans are Adaptive 

2020 saw people lose their jobs, many others began working from home. Schools converted to online with virtual learning, travel came to a screaming halt and the way we socialised changed forever.  This pandemic has been a testament to just how resilient we are as humans and our ability to be flexible and creative in the face of uncertainty. 

However, We can’t forget the difficult few years leading up to the 2020 pandemic, in Australia we battled with the drought and bushfires, which have been particularly hard for our rural Australian community.

Be Grateful 

As we move into 2021 let’s enter the new year with grace and compassion for one another. Nobody knows what the future holds but I predict it  will continue to be a year of opportunity for those willing to give anything a shot and those that are willing to consider careers and they hadn’t before. Identities around career and ego have been dropped and instead we have seen a rise of people put on their creative hats and explore avenues they wouldn’t normally and that’s a reason to celebrate. 

Life is precious folks! Be grateful for what you have because in an instant things can change. The pandemic made me rethink my priorities, as a business owner I find it hard to switch off and find that work/life balance, but it has been a blessing to take time to focus on my beautiful family, walk my dog down by the ocean, have my morning coffee with Brett on the balcony…Ah it really is the simple things! 

From my family to yours I wish you all a safe, happy and healthy Christmas and a successful 2021! 

Belinda x