I am having the strangest December. I don’t know if it’s the weather or if I’m just not ready to say good-bye to 2015, but it feels very late fall…like I’ve still got a couple of weeks to get in that tree stand and get my nature on. But 50-degrees or not, this year is wrapping up in just a few short weeks, so I sat down to take a tree stand view of 2015. What I realized is every lesson was truly a gift in disguise.
Gift #1: Stick with your pack.
I made a conscious effort to take control of my schedule and make sure I was spending my time and energy in the places and with the people who mean the most to me. That meant dedicated family time, away from the phone and the office, where I could connect heart-to-heart and soul-to-soul with my wife and my boys. Our pack includes my amazing parents and in-laws, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and we are never happier than when we can all be together.
Gift #2: Once you are in the tribe, you are always in the tribe.
I reconnected with some old friends, people who I thought I’d lost along the way. As it turns out, we were all thinking about one another, but not taking that second to send a text or make a call and say so. I am now following through on my thoughts, so if I find myself thinking of you, you are going to get a call or a text. The universe has put you in my head for a reason.
Gift #3: When things seem like they are not going your way, be grateful that they are going somewhere.
Movement equals progress. Stagnation is death. These moments are when the patience you practice in the blind or stand comes into play. You need to be present and focused positively on your target so you can narrow your sights as you get closer to that bulls-eye. Each of my businesses made strides this year and yet, from time to time, I found myself down in the weeds with the judge, unable to see clearly the progression (it happens to us all). When I took the time to clear my mind and get above and clear, I was so proud of the tribes at HealthRise Solutions, Carbon Media Group and, of course, The Farbman Group, led by my partner, my brother, my friend Andy Farbman. Though we hunt with different styles, I could not have asked for a better collaborator or more trusted confidante.
2015 was, in actuality, the year I thought it would be. A breakthrough on every level: family, friends, and business. I am and will continue to be grateful for all the good health, love and friendship in my life and for the opportunity to share my experiences with you. I am taking the rest of the holiday season to finish 2015 strong but wanted to take this moment to wish each and every one of you a happy and healthy holiday. I will see you in 2016 so we can continue our hunt for success together.
