2010 Retrospective: Looking back to move forward
Even though we have not even hit Christmas, I have already begun looking back at 2010. It was definitely an interesting year with high’s and low’s. I have begun planning my 2011 professionally and personally and I cannot help but look back at this year to understand where I have been and to help me understand where I am going.
Here’s what I have taken from 2010:
The year has to start and end with the person who matters most to me in the world, my wife. We passed our two year anniversary in 2010 and I think this year was the year that we really learned what it meant to be married. How to live together, how to work together, how to communicate with each other and how to truly understand what love really is. I fall more in love with her each day and without her none of this would matter. I am so excited to see what 2011 brings for both of us.
If my wife is number one, second are my friends. I have some amazing friends. They make me laugh, they give me so much to think about and I know I can count on them. Unfortunately, I don’t believe I have been as good of a friend as I should or could of in 2010. I needed to put the extra effort required to ensure things like families and jobs didn’t get in the way of incredibly important friendships. As I have gotten older, it has become apparent to me that all relationships require work. I didn’t do as much work as I should of this year and for that I want to apologize to my friends. You guys are incredibly important to me and I promise you that I will do a better job with in 2011.
I would say that professionally 2010 was one of the most challenging years I have ever lived through. There were a number of times and I am sure I am not alone, when I asked myself, what the hell am I doing? Though each time I asked myself this, we would deliver some great work, a client provided good feedback or I would watch one of my team members grow professionally and I found the answer to my question. While I had my successes and failures this year, I am extremely proud of my company and the people in it. Our agency begins and ends with our people. I am going to leave 2010 extremely proud of a number of team members who I have witnessed first hand grow this year into absolute superstars. I am excited to see what we can accomplish in 2011. Specifically, I did not feel like I accomplished all that I could of this year. I have a number of objectives and I am going to accomplish them in 2011! (Eye of the tiger!)
As I was looking back, something that really made me smile was this incredible community I live in. This year I have met so many wonderful, smart and passionate people in the Triangle. There have been so many great events like the Triangle AMA, Media Leaders, Internet Summit, etc. I cannot say enough about the wonderful people in this community. I truly believe that the Triangle is and will continue to grow and flourish because of so many talented folks. I want to thank so many of you who I met and gotten to know this year. You not only have my respect, but you have my friendship.
I can’t end this post without talking about the albatross that I have been carrying around with me throughout 2010. Simply put, I chickened out on several things this year. I had several ideas that I wanted to pursue and because it might of taken me out of my comfort zone, I didn’t do it. I could make excuses like I did not have the time, too much going on, but simply put, I could of found the time if I wanted to. I simply chickened out and to be honest, it has been bothering me. In 2011, I am going to push myself to be uncomfortable. Great things can happen when you leave your comfort zone.
I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holidays and new year. I wish for all of us a better and happier 2011.
Cord
Cord, Thanks for sharing your thoughts on 2010! I have really enjoyed getting to know you better this year and I hope you crush it in 2011!
Thanks Greg.. The feeling is mutual my friend. 2011 we need to collaborate and work together on something!! I hope you and your family have a great holiday.
What an awesome post, Cord. You make an incredible, and necessary, point about getting out of our comfort zones…though it’s tough, it’s often what leads us to our best self. Hope you have a wonderful holiday and the beginning of an outstanding 2011!
Thanks Jenni. I wish you the best of luck in your new position in 2011!
That’s what makes a true friend Cord – recognizing that we all need to work on bettering our relationships everyday.
Wishing you and Leigh a wonderful Christmas and an even better 2011.
Cord, nice post. Thanks for your transparency. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better this year. Even though I may not see you often IRL, I feel like I get to know you better watching you online. Regardless, I say we plan another lunch meeting at The Pit in 2011. My warmest wishes for a great new year. Cheers!
Tom, you are absolutely right. That is something we need to do with each other. Let’s make it a point to do in 2011,
Jeff, I feel the same way. I have truly enjoyed getting to know you online and off.
I hope both of you and your families have a safe and happy holidays.
Cord – Great post. Your honesty is so refreshing. And now I’m more inspired to keep pushing outside my comfort zone (even though it’s so warm and cozy!). Thanks for that. It was nice meeting you this year.
Cait Smith´s last [type] ..My Improved Bio
Cord – great to meet you this year and hope to see more of you in 2011. And here’s to an uncomfortable year for both of us!!
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Cord! What an awesome first post for me to read of yours! Resonates with me too. Look forward to working together in 2011! Hearing you speak at the NC Mom Bloggers Beach Conference. Loved your tribute to your wife.
Nice post Cord, especially the part about your wife. Let’s face it, you’re a lucky man who married way above himself
Any one of the commenters before me could give you better advice than me about the second half of your post, so I’m just going to pass along a link to a really interesting article that I heard about from my parish priest a couple weeks ago called, Marriage: the second act. It’s not a religious article really, just a human one.
http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/marriage-second-act
All I know is that if you’re happy at home, your whole life seems to run a lot better.
I’m glad I got to know you a little better in 2010.
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Refreshing post; I appreciate your honesty. And I was surprised by the directions your thinking moved in. Sounds like you are geared up for a powerful 2011. Good on ya, mate.
Btw, I’ve been married 24 years now and I’m still trying to figure stuff out, and learning more every year. Here’s to the journey.
Lisa Creech Bledsoe´s last [type] ..New Lessons in Boxing
Great reflection here. I love that you are willing to admit that you chickened out because it was out of your comfort zone. I think that for me 2010 I totally jumped out of my comfort zone and it did pay off in some areas. At the same time it was scarry and sketchy! I’m glad that I got to know you better in 2010 and thank you for all you have done to make our community really kick ass!
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I didn’t know HOW I missed this the first time and then I realized I was on my yearly family vacation where I wasn’t paying much attention to the online world.
You are a wonderful, generous, SMART man, Mr. Silverstein. While we officially met through the job interview process, I’m extremely grateful that we have maintained a friendship beyond that. I mean, how many peeps can I say LOVE the NFL season as much as I do? Really!
Seriously, I believe you WILL step out of your comfort zone in 2011…perhaps not WAY out, but you will. I fully believe your 2011 is going to just plain ROCK for that reason and so much more.
Here’s to YOU, Cord. May God continue to bless you both professionally AND personally (shout out to the wifey there!). Cheers to an AH-MAZ-ING 2011!!