I have heard a lot of complaining about 2016, what a difficult year it has been for so many, and I totally get that, and concur on many levels. So I thought it important, and have been inspired by a number of friends who have posted to Facebook asking friends to either commiserate about the bad, or “better yet” list the good.
I’ve got a bunch (of the good)… I am still in touch with my daughters and seem to be making progress (#ThisDadWontQuit), Collective Bias was acquired (HUGE YAY!), I moved to Pompano Beach, FL (
“>️
), Co-Founding a new content marketing company with by business soul-mate John Andrews and perhaps other great folks (#RetailRelevancy, #RonR… #NoLetUp!), AND my family and I are healthy 
What are you thankful for as we turn our eyes toward 2017?
No matter how hard (or easy) it is to look back and find things to be thankful for at the end of another year, it’s always worth doing. I’m happy to say that on a personal level, 2016 has left me with quite a few reasons to be thankful. Commemorating the highlights of the past year is a great way to maintain Perspective, adjust your Attitude, and create a Mindset that will set you up to drive through on those days when the world is making it difficult to #JustBeNice.
A little more about my stuff ☺
Have you ever made a move 1,300 miles away from your previous home? In the old days, I might have just packed up my car to the brim and set out for the long trip down I-95. This year, I took the more conventional route… planned things as carefully as I could, set things in motion, paid the right vendors, and “viola”… total clusterfuck. But that puts things in perspective too, because it is just a matter of breathing, dealing, and making it work. Living in Pompano Beach most definitely has its perks and even with the renovation not being close to done, no place to put everything, and the adjustment period of living in a place… I am thankful for my new home.
It’s been an eventful year from a career perspective as well, with some big successes for old friends and looking at a potential a new venture of my own. Inmar made the (very wise) decision to acquire Collective Bias, and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see Collective Bias, a company I supported from day one, and was a shareholder in, validated and find a home for the long-term. I’ve also been thinking a lot about content marketing, influence, and Retail Relevancy, with my good friend and business soul-mate John Andrews, and a bunch of other awesome, highly motivated people.
Finally, I’m thankful that I, and my family, made it through such an eventful year in one piece. I’m healthy, I’m working hard on always staying present in my daughters lives, and continue to lay a foundation for the future. This has been a very exciting year for me in business, the move is feeling right, and there’s no question that I’m most thankful for the health of my family in 2016.
The Benefits of Holding on to the Good Moments
I try very hard to be positive, especially when I’m interacting with others. If you’ve followed me over the years, then you know that #JustBeNice and #BeGoodToPeople is a huge part of my philosophy in business and in life. But it’s not automatic. Sometimes, people, circumstances, or plain old bad luck make it very difficult to keep a positive attitude. I find that remembering what I’m thankful for allows me to keep perspective in the moments when I need it most, whether in business or when dealing with life’s daily challenges.
So you’ve heard all about what I’m thankful for at the end of 2016, and now it’s your turn to reflect as we turn the page to a New Year: Attitude, Perspective… Mindset. What are you most thankful for in 2016, and what are you looking forward to in 2017? Just as importantly, were there seemingly difficult moments that turned into positive experiences? As wise folks have long said, when life drops a sack of oranges on your head, just move to Florida, hang out at the beach, and buy a juicer. Or something like that.
See you in 2017, if I don’t find you, seek me out! #RonR