Taking Stock

Written by: Deb Sparrow

Published: January 2016

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” –from Mulan, the Walt Disney Company 

What's better on a dreary mid-December day, as the year draws to a holiday-packed close, than looking back and taking stock of the previous twelve months? Like most people, I've had some highs and lows; there were some great accomplishments, some extraordinary memories, and even a disappointment or two. Many of these experiences did not go according to plan. Let's just say that 2015 presented lots of practice in patience (still needs work), resilience (I seem to have it in buckets), and also profound gratitude.

See, I don't know about you, but 2015 seemed to be both a reality check and an inspiration for me. Globally, the rise of radical extremism and terrorist activity made most of us take notice. The amount of human suffering seems almost overwhelming at times. From rampant gun violence to local heroin trafficking to growing intolerance of other races and religions, you have to wonder where this is all headed. Then there is the crazy political scene. I'm not quite sure what to say about the presidential race, and probably the less, the better. Adversity abounds, and these big picture things certainly make my individual complaints seem minor.

On the other hand, 2015 was a year of growth, learning, and rediscovering my passions outside of work. I started to track my reading habits via Goodreads, and it is clear to see that I am on a consistent path of about a book a week. My tastes are all over the place: history, adventure, mystery, leadership, women's issues, and there is no question that I am a compulsive reader. I also decided to track my fitness efforts using MapMyRun. It provides regular updates to keep the motivation levels high, and then a year-end report of every workout. I started mid-year, and just reviewed both mileage and time spent from June to December. I'm a fair weather (including really hot weather) and leisurely pace runner, according to the reports. July, August, and September were impressive. There was point where the dogs on my route finally stopped barking at me and I took that as a victory. I'm certain that their owners did, too. My routine has fallen off the pace since then, but I am taking better care of my body and that was the goal.

I’m surprised to look back and see that I also wrote ten articles, including this one, in 2015, finished my third year of a rewarding three year professional development program, bought a new car, ate more whoopie pies and drank more expensive wines than I should admit, and never dusted my house once. I made some new connections, strengthened some significant relationships and messed up others, all while learning from my mistakes like crazy. Hey, I'm not going for perfection here. We all have priorities, and house cleaning and kale eating are not mine. There are too many books to read and good foods to enjoy before my journey ends.

The value in reflection on the year gone by is not to dwell on the past, but to see the opportunities for improvement and change in the coming year. It seems like a good time to set some new goals, both personal and professional.

How did your year go, personally and professionally? Were you able to meet your expectations? If not, do you have a plan for 2016? Even if you did meet or exceed expectations and goals in 2015, I hope that you are looking ahead to set the bar a little higher. Much of the fun is in the challenge to stretch to see just how far you can go. Like most of us, there were times when I fell short of my goals and disappointment reared its ugly head. That's when I had to take my own advice and focus on the positives, keep moving forward, and reach into that reserve of strength and character I've been building for years to set the best possible example for handling adversity. 

For my organization, I am proud of the results that our team has delivered in 2015. Record-setting loan growth, a positive trend in membership growth, and a strong focus on our outstanding culture, development of people, and building relationships will serve us well in the coming years. There will be many changes in 2016, and we are well-equipped to thrive with the right focus and a positive outlook.

So what have I learned in 2015?  

• As a football fan, I've learned to appreciate the Patriots. I will never be among the Tom Brady faithful, but good football is good football, and when the team is healthy, the Patriots are impressive.
• I've learned that feeling sorry for yourself is a waste of time, and gratitude combined with determination keeps things moving in a positive direction.
• I've learned to share a little bit more of myself, and allow people to get to know me. My intimate circle will always be small, but it's a good one. Apparently, vulnerability is not always deadly.
• I've learned that encouraging growth in others is one of the most rewarding things that a good leader can do. Leadership is an art, not a science, and it takes practice.
• I've been reminded that learning is never wasted, and that my self-worth should not be based on what others see or don’t see in me.
• I've learned that change is inevitable, and that it's okay to change your mind and your journey and your next ambition as you see fit.

As I think about 2016, setting some new goals and preparing for new challenges and adventures, I hope you will do the same. Best wishes for a great holiday season and continued success in the coming year.

Thank you for reading. Your feedback is welcome.

Deb Sparrow

Deb Sparrow worked in financial services senior leadership for over 25 years. She is a firm believer that "the universe always falls in love with a stubborn heart" as she explores the fork in the road and writes about it from time to time. She is a graduate of Bowdoin College and Priority Learning's inaugural Executive Leadership series. Follow her on LinkedIn at Deb Sparrow worked in financial services senior leadership for over 25 years. She is a firm believer that "the universe always falls in love with a stubborn heart" as she explores the fork in the road and writes about it from time to time. She is a graduate of Bowdoin College and Priority Learning's inaugural Executive Leadership series. Follow her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-sparrow/.