28, 27, 26, 25, 24 …
Today marks exactly four weeks until 2020.
I was about to ask you to a) reflect on the year past, b) share your goals/hopes for the new year, when I realized…
It’s not just a new year coming up.
It’s a whole new DECADE.
And not only is it a whole new decade for us *all*, it’s a whole new decade for *me*, as I have a, er, “big” birthday coming up next month.
ZOINKS!!!
As I started to think back on the decade we’re about to say goodbye to, I had to stop and do a LOT of deep breathing.
First, because it’s exhausting.
It’s tough enough to star in your own personal retrospective going back one year.
Second, factor in an exponent of NINE, and it would be completely understandable if the only place I were to find you was taking refuge under the bar at “Cheers.”
Here’s my “look back” part.
On the professional side, this past decade has seen me:
- Build my consulting business like crazy, to the point where various entities started initiating “acquisition” conversations (#truestory);
- Work with clients like USA for UNCHR (Blue Key Campaign), Oxfam America, Traackr, the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, and AcademyHealth;
- Do cool “brand building” things like speak at a TEDx, become a legit keynote speaker (“have your people talk to my people” ;)), and win some cool awards;
- Continue to teach at Johns Hopkins, one of the great joys of my life; and
- Launch my own online program COMPLETELY from scratch, and actually make money at selling stuff online, which I NEVER believed you could do.
^^ highlights reel
On the personal side:
- everyone I loved died.
Puts everything into perspective, doesn’t it?
So. Here’s the “look forward” part.
Because of said perspective-inducing experiences, I’m trying to LIVE.
I am grateful, and proud (where warranted) of everything I’ve been able to accomplish this past decade.
None of it would have happened without the support of my community, colleagues, teachers, students, my family, and most of all, my late husband.
But it’s in the past.
And if I am to *live* – as I say I intend to – then I have to be grateful for what is past, where I am now, and look to the future.
I’m going to talk about that in my next post, if that’s ok with you, (that “Cheers” bar is calling me…).
But for now, I would love to know:
What are YOU proud of accomplishing this past decade?
It might be in your rear-view mirror, but you DID it. Therefore, it is to be celebrated.
And, having celebrated it, you can move forward and build on it.
So, tell me – what are you über-proud of having accomplished this past decade?
First, can I just say it’s nice to “see” you’re back, Shonali! :) Second, given all you’ve accomplished–especially given the hand you were dealt in the past we have known one another long enough now that I can say, “I knew you when…”–before you became all big-time, in-demand. (wink, wink)
On to the post, SO much has happened in the last decade for me. I became a PRSSA chapter professional adviser (and still am), began public speaking and spoke at numerous PRSSA regional conferences as well as two PRSSA international conferences, and taught 3 different courses at a university! If that weren’t enough, I served in multiple board positions for PRSA (St. Louis chapter) including past president, and was PRSA Midwest Conference Chair in 2015. AND, finally, I was honored with receiving two awards — PR Professional of the Year and the first Lifetime Service Award from PRSA St. Louis for my work with both other professionals and the next generation of pros–PR students.
My new goal is to do more on the measurement side, so I’ll be volunteering to serve on a committee for AMEC (International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication) and hope to speak to students about the importance of proper measurement (not vanity metrics).
Now we’re all caught-up! :)
OMG Tressa that is SO cool, that you’ll be on an AMEC committee! I can’t think of a better person to teach students about the importance of smart measurement. Way to go!
And CONGRATULATIONS on your successes! I think it’s *I* who can proudly say, “I knew her when…” Seriously. How wonderful it is that we really do feel like “family,” don’t we? And you even became friends with my mom; I’ll never forget that.
You are such a star, Tressa. Thank you for all your kindness and friendship. It makes my heart happy to know you. xo
Thank you for such a heartfelt and honest post, Shonali. You sure know how to tell a great story! And congratulations on all your accomplishments this past year. Your attitude is contagious. It’s wonderful to hear about your exciting plans. Can’t wait to see where you take them. Here’s to a happy and successful 2020 and beyond!
Thank you so much, Martin, and congratulations to YOU for all your accomplishments – I know how hard you worked for your Master’s! One of the highlights of the past decade has definitely been getting to know you, and call you “friend.” Here’s to 2020 and beyond indeed!
Ten years ago, I wanted to work in social media full-time. So, with persistence, I found positions that had me doing what I loved. And, that led me to doing influencer marketing, as well.
Isn’t that cool, Debbie?! That you got exactly what you wanted. Thank you so much for stopping by, I miss seeing you on a regular basis in DC, but am so glad we got to hang out in NYC recently!