"Thinkin' of a Master Plan, 'Cause Ain't Nothin' But Sweat Inside My Hand..."

by Guest Blogger, Lena West, Chief Social Media Strategist at xynoMedia

(Lyrics credit: Eric B. & Rakim, Paid in Full)

I'm not sure if it's the time of year...with the new year getting closer or the thought that at anytime we New Yorkers can be unceremoniously whisked into the unforgiving embrace of Old Man Winter (sure, it's warm...NOW) or maybe it's because my own solar return occurs around this time.

Whatever it is, it's clear that thoughts are in the air.

And, it's not just thoughts about the economy,  the election, global warming, etc., etc.

Yes, those are all important thoughts.

But, for me, there are also open-ended questions about 2009:

• How will it be a different year for the business?
• What should we be doing now to prepare?
• What COULD we be doing now to prepare?
• What direction should the company take?
• What are some industry drivers that we need to take into account?
• What don't we know that we should?
• Who don't we know that we should?

"So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint..."

And, I do mean OPEN ENDED. Concrete answers to these questions are few and far between - for now. But, I guess that's how all of my Octobers are. Question-filled and pregnant with possibility. Are they? I need to think about that...I think I'm right.

Maybe it's because I'm getting over a nasty round of the flu and, as someone who rarely gets sick (but when I get hit, I get HIT), I'm well-rested and priming the pump for glorious answers to all that heading into 2009 means. Maybe it's the bedside cocktails.

Sorry to be all around the barn and down the road today, but y'all know that I show up as I am. No mask, no front. What you see is what you get...almost :)

Anyone else got the 'pensive' bug?

 

Comments

[Libby]

Its almost 2009 now and with the whirlwind that is December including all of the holidays festivities and preperation that entails, the year will be over before we know it. I am a senior at the University of Kansas and will be graduating in the spring. This time of year not only brings questions of what my New Year's resolution will be? But a list of questions concerning my future, my capabilites, my educational preparation, where I will be living come May, if I will be able to secure a job, who I should send cover letters and resumes to, et cetera, et cetera. Am I pensive or paniced? As uncertain and anxious as I am for graduation and 2009 I am excited to see whats in store for me. This coming year will be a rousing and transitional time in my life and while looking ahead can consume me, I plan on focusing on the rest of 2008 and enjoying it while its still here. Hope everyone has a great remainder of 2008!

[Lena L. West]

@Sabine:

I'm SO glad to see that it's not just me!

Thanks for reading and commenting.

[sabine at Muse Communication]

Hi Lena,

Just read your post about being in a pensive mood as we near the end of the year, and yes, I have it too!

I think reflecting, taking stock and evaluating is a very worthy exercise, both on a personal and a business level, and something we should do on a regular basis. It's a little like cleaning out the clothes cupboard once a year: it allows us to throw out what's no longer useful, keep what's valuable and focus on what we need to get to fill the gaps.

Cleansing and refocusing one's thoughts and energy is good, on so many different levels that maybe that 'pensive bug' of yours should be a mandatory yearly affliction for all of us!

Sabine

[Lena West]

@Kelly:

Thanks for the kind words.

I think this year has been a distraction for many people for various reasons.

Personally, I just don't know where this year went. I look up and it's October. Gasp!

I do an exercise at the end of every year that accounts for my wins throughout the year and my lessons learned. Every year I think that I won't have many wins and I always surprise myself. I can only hope I'm pleasantly surprised this year. :)

Thanks for reading and commenting.

-Lena

[Kelly Watson]

What a great idea! I used to start thinking about next year's goals in the fall, but this year the election and the crazy economy has distracted me. So this is a nice reminder.