What A Difference A Year Makes
January 24 — Keeping a journal is a great way to remind yourself of the great things in life. The small things we seem to forget. Those little details that put smiles on our faces. Yet we manage to remember every detail of the stranger who was rude or said something mean to us. It’s also an accurate measure of how much time has really passed.
It feels like I’ve been in Argentina for a long time. Not in a bad way. In a way that makes me feel like I’m at home. The fact is I’ve been here less than three weeks. What’s the reveal in this? Well the expectations I had for what I would have done in these three weeks. Most notably, lose weight.
Even though my walking has skyrocketed and my food consumption is less. It has only been three weeks. Since I’m not obese there isn’t a lot of extra weight to lose. Combine that with what I have been consuming, including wine, sporadic exercise thanks to being ill and what could I really expect? Did I think I was going to have my body back from two years ago when I worked out regularly, had a trainer, and no stress of owning my business? Well, yes.
This is the way I think in business too. As I continue to create new projects I forget things take time. The projects don’t feel new because I have been working them out in my mind and writing the details down on paper before the work ever gets started. By the time I start the project it feels mature. To begin building and growing it almost seems unnecessary. Everyone should climb into my head and see I have thought this through and just get on board.
First off, no one else should be in my head. Two, it’s not how things work. It’s goes back to the aging process of wine. Some things cannot and should not be rushed. It makes the final product less beautiful and consumable.
We have a speaker tonight at the workspace so I’ll be working there all day. I’ll also be interviewing one of the biggest names in my summit. I’ve definitely been on a mission this morning. I did walk down an old street to see if the boyfriend shirt I admired was still in the window. It was. As lovely as it was before and still alluring. Thank goodness the store was closed.
I was one of the first people to arrive as soon as the space opened (that’s good timing on my part) I sat down and quickly got to work. Then I realized I forgot the books of the author I’m interviewing today back at my apartment (that’s lame on my part). The temperature has now risen but I’ve made a commitment to walk, not take cabs or Uber. Ugh. Off I went.
The streets were much more crowded now and filled with people who are not in a hurry like me. Nor do they pick a side to walk on. While they take a leisurely stroll I’m going for the gold in speed walking. Weaving in and out of people and planning my next move blocks ahead because that’s how you’re supposed to walk — like you have a purpose.
My purpose — to get the books and get back to the workspace before I could seriously sweat through my clothes and before the heat and seemingly low humidity completely take all the curl out of my hair and turn it into a giant frizzy helmet.
I managed to keep the sweat to a minimum. My hair didn’t have such a fortunate fate. Walking back to the workspace I went another route. No point in looking at the beautiful shirt and seeing my hair helmet reflecting in the window.
Back to my point about how much time makes a difference. Last year, during the month of January, I watched a virtual summit and was introduced to so many experts throughout different fields because of it. It was fascinating and exciting. I began following them and reading their books.
This year, I’m interviewing two of those same people for my own virtual summit. I could have never imagined this before. In fact, if you would have told me this I would have said you’re crazy. Yet here I am.
An important point to make is a lot had to happen to get to “here”. It’s not the same place as I was last January. So, yeah, that wouldn’t have made sense. All the things both significant and seemingly insignificant mattered. Both my work and I had to mature and age, become more refined and ready to receive.
A lot can happen in a year. I’ll be sharing it with you. A lot can also happen in a single day if you pay attention. Several years ago I went to a gathering in San Francisco. There was something going on in the city I didn’t know about and felt I should. The gathering was all about startups.
At the time I wanted to learn. It made perfect sense to know what is going on right before your eyes. Using it in conversation and in business discussions never crossed my mind. It was strictly for professional use should I want to get hired as an admin by one of these companies.
Tonight our speaker was talking to us about business and startups back home in the Bay Area and New York and what is taking place in Argentina. I was fascinated. I was also proud of myself that I understood the acronyms and terminology he was using. While I’m not about to knock out any term sheet deals on my own I can hold a conversation.
Plus, the information he was providing about the business culture here is awesome and gives me another layer to work off of. All this was possible because I responded “yes” to a seemingly unimportant invitation.
It has me thinking about my upcoming virtual summit. What will the attendees be saying a year from attending? Where will they be? Will I be on a summit they are doing? I’m excited to find out.
A year can make a big difference. A day can make a big difference. A simple “yes” or “no” can make a big difference. I can make a big difference.
My end of day gratitude:
- The gift of another year.
- The gift of another day.
- All the gifts that are still to come.
