How to mark the end of the year

Sparing a thought for those less privileged, or who have come on hard times is something that every person no matter what position they are in should consider. I know that I am.

I've spent some time in the past few months seeing the world through a new set of eyes. One that is more compassionate and focused on what my own skills and finances can do to create change.

From a business perspective, it's business as usual. Well, sort of. If we keep doing the same thing, we get the same results. So now is the time to take it up a notch and start dreaming a little bigger, making sure all of our ducks are in a row. 

We have recruited a few new people and will be recruiting a dozen or so more in Australia from January through to March of next year. Marketing Eye's business is funded by myself, so it's always a little scary to take risks like this, but without risk there is no reward.

I got a lift on Friday from Jack Cowin in Sydney from his office to my next meeting. He said to me, "I wish I would have taken more risks". Now this is coming from a billionaire who has exceptional values and is a total gentleman. If you shake his hand in a business deal, you know he is true to his word. He speaks the truth always. Never bothers with bullshit and asks questions that others are probably too afraid to ask.

For those who are close to him, he is there through thick and thin. He is your most loyal supporter and doesn't mind a bit if you stuff up - as long as you own it.

I am very fortunate to have people like Jack in my life, that I can go to at any time and ask for help or a bit of advice. I always feel as though I don't give enough in return, and hope one day I can return the favour in some shape or form.

As this year comes to an end, it's important that as an entrepreneur that I have asked myself all the questions. Have I achieved what I set out to achieve? If I didn't, what stopped me achieving that? If I did, what's next? How can I do better next year? How can I empower my team to be better and to set personal goals that take them where they want to go in life? What's next for Marketing Eye? Are we ready and capable of taking the business to the next level?k

There are so many questions, that have to be answered.

What's next, is something that is more daring, with risk, and more rewarding in return. There will be no road blocks and there is nothing that can possibly stand in my way. Every piece of baggage that may have brought me down before has empowered me to take a stronger, more dynamic path with fierce determination to do my best always.

At the same time, my underlying focus in all aspects of life is to be kind. Acts of kindness don't need a slap on the back, they are a given. 

Next year for Marketing Eye we are going to:

• Market more
• Bring out more magazines
• Publish more
• Innovate through technology, systems and processes
• Challenge the status quo
• Believe that anything is possible
• Continue to build on this amazing culture that we have fostered
• Give our team room to be themselves 
• Empower people to become leaders and to take risks - perhaps fail a little, but learn from this
• Kick goals: financial, geographically and culturally
• Be kind, considerate and give.

There's not much else I could hope for.