As I think about the end of 2016, one of the things that comes to mind is all the people we lost this year, only because of all the recent tragedies. Be they celebrities, family members, or friends. In the last week alone we have lost several people, some very untimely. Among them is a friend named Marco, he was 45 and had a sudden heart attack on Dec 26th. When someone that young passes away, it gives me pause to reflect on life.
The end of the year is a great time to reflect and see what you have accomplished and a great time to plan for 2017.
I was looking at the vision board I did in January and saw that 2016 was a mixed year. I accomplished about 70% of my vision board. What I did not accomplish will be on my board for 2017 as a priority. In 2016, aside from what was accomplished at J2, I was able to travel and meet some amazing people. I made many new friends and deepened relationships with old ones. I had ‘once in a life time’ experiences (picnic in West Minster Abbey, played with tigers, jet skied around Manhattan). I also broke bread and had drinks and cigars with friends on three continents, seven countries, and five cities within the US. And let’s not forget that I became a proud uncle.
For J2, 2016 was a year of setting a base for growth. We have a good core team and 2017 will be spent on strengthening that team with a few additions. We have developed a culture based on service, expertise, and relationships. We have improved operational processes as well as started a blog and a newsletter, just to name a few. As a team, we won several awards (Future 50, Inc. 5000, Philly 100, 50 On Fire In Philly, and Corporate Culture). All this was possible because we worked as a team.
At J2 we have had a good year. Personally, I have had a good year. There were things I wanted to accomplish and did not. When I heard about Marco, it made me think about all things that I want to do and more importantly things I want to say.
What have you been wanting to do and have not? What have you been wanting to say and have not?
As the year comes to a close think about how you have grown!
“It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment.” —Marcus Tullius Cicero
Happy New Year!
—Vijay
About Friday Food for Thought (FFfT)
I frequently attend conferences and retreats on entrepreneurship and leadership and while I am away, the J2 team picks up the slack, allowing me to learn to be better at what I do. I wanted to share what I was learning with my team, so I created the weekly FFfT emails in November of 2015 and have been writing them ever since.
Before long, the J2 staff began sharing the FFfT emails with their friends and family and now other leaders have asked to be included, which led to the creation of this newsletter. I hope you enjoy!