Hi subscriber 

Where to start? 

I can't do a chirpy Happy Christmas newsletter because too many people are really hanging on by their fingernails as this year staggers to a close. 

Maintaining tradition is only really helpful when the result is positive.

I'm lucky to be surrounded by a bunch of smart, clever and caring people who regularly come together to help each other, just because they can, because ten heads are better than one, because one idea sparks another, because no one person has all the answers, and different experiences and skills often produce very surprising and unexpected ideas.

In 2020 we had 172 meetings in 40 weeks after lockdown started.
In 2021 we had had 96 meetings in 48 weeks. 

For many people these meetings have been a lifesaver, a way to stay connected and grounded and we've had a lot of laughs as well as really useful, productive discussions. They only work because people turn up even when they don't feel like it. They turn up to see if they can help as well as to see if they can be helped.

On days when we feel like hiding under the duvet or burying ourselves in work, sometimes the best thing we can do is spend time with people who literally take us out of ourselves and give us something else to think about. (I'm saying this as an introvert who has seen it work time and time again!) 

If you're struggling in any way, please don't do it on your own. Hit reply and let's have a chat and who knows where that will lead. The only promise I can make is that talking to someone is better than trying to work things out on your own when you're exhausted and despondent.

The links below are to posts about how to make a small business work better and to several other topics that I find interesting and you might too! 

And here's my painting of a Christmas tree - I hope you like it! 

"A lot of issues in life can be straightened out if you properly identify who your dopamine dealer is."

Maybe we can go into 2022, not just hoping for better but knowing that each of us can make a difference, based on our own choices and the situations we find ourselves in.

That difference might simply be in attitude but attitude can create personal change, and personal change always ripples out.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
Victor Frankl

I hope you have some time for joy and laughter and look forward to working with you in 2022.  

Best wishes
Ann