Hello 2022
Written by Andrea Rannard-Lambert, Director of Account Management and Communication
I don’t tend to make New Year’s resolutions anymore. I find life very unpredictable – full of joy and sadness, and everything in between – so I prefer to be resolute without the resolutions.
Perhaps this sounds a little pensive for a start-of-the-year blog? For me, looking ahead to a new year is inextricably linked with what I have experienced and learned from the previous one.
So, what has 2021 taught or retaught me?
To be adaptable. As a senior leader and mother, returning to ELBA in 2021 after another period of maternity leave, I have needed to reconsider my role and value to the organisation, and adapt and reinvent as needed. I have established or re-established relationships with colleagues, and spend time just listening and observing before speaking.
Not to take things for granted. We all have dreams and aspirations, and sometimes they come to fruition and sometimes not. Being thankful in the moment and trying to have faith for the future is a lesson of 2021 for me.
As for 2022, I look forward to continuing to really listen to those around me. This includes those I work with, learning from them and being inspired by them. As a senior leader, I look forward to reflecting on what we, ELBA, have learned from the last 12-24 months and applying this to our working practice. No doubt there have been some real hardships and heartaches throughout the pandemic, and there have also been some transformative changes that we must learn from and apply. Being more learned is something I am looking forward to in 2022.
And, in the spirit of listening to colleagues, here’s what they had to say:
“2021 was a tough time for everyone, but the difficulty of it all made me even more appreciative of the opportunities given to me. And for 2022, I’m just looking forward to gaining lots of new experiences and meeting plenty of great people. I hope that this year will be somewhat a return to normality!”
“In 2021, ELBA continued to adapt to working in a hybrid virtual model to ensure projects were delivered that have been vital to the community. I look forward to seeing more face-to-face events and hopefully returning to the ‘old normal’ as the ‘new normal’ of returning back to the office and being physically present in the community!”
“I think we have all had a wake-up call to appreciate everyone in our lives and our health more, spend time doing simpler things rather than dashing about with a packed social and work agenda. In 2022, I’m looking forward to taking the best of what worked well virtually (as some things really did) and return to more face-to-face too. I’m looking forward to planning whilst building in flexibility.”
“In 2021 I learned the importance of self-care. Taking time for yourself to do things that you love and make you feel good is the key to staying sane. In 2022, I am looking forward to being able to travel and see more of the world.”
Whatever your resolutions (or not), on behalf of all at ELBA, have a happy and healthy year ahead!
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