When I start to write, I don’t have any plan at all. I just wait for the story to come. I don’t choose what kind of story it is or what’s going to happen. I just wait. ~ Haruki Murakami
Regular readers will note that I have recently stepped away from the discipline of posting every single day. This spontaneous decision came from instinct, including a sense that, 2023 will bring new and different ideas and ways for me to make an impact through connections and ideas.
I love the Murakami quote and see myself as having created some space (including through the roughly one hour each day I do spend writing when I post daily) to allow myself to be “waiting for the story to come”. (for more advice from Murakami, read this brilliant piece: “What’s Needed is Magic: Writing Advice from Haruki Murakami“)
In the meantime, a few ideas are bubbling up for me, including:
- Scotland
- From January 2023 I will again start visiting Scotland every month, something that was stopped by the pandemic. My intention is to connect with people, first to listen and then to see where I may be able to support Scotland and leaders in Scotland
- Mastermind groups / Dinner Clubs.
- I have always loved being part of these, sometimes instigating and leading them, sometimes simply an active participant. Am musing about restarting this activity
- Public Speaking
- This week I am speaking at a CEO Dinner specifically set up to support CEOs with looking into the Crystal Ball for their business through the lens of the economy and related factors in the coming few years. The period ahead will be challenging, yet in every challenge there are opportunities. Fortune favours the brave, though they must be prepared.
- The last time we faced a tough recession was over a decade ago, and at that time I was called upon to share my thoughts as well as facilitate sessions like the one above. I love doing this so am opening myself up for such events and conversations in 2023
- Cayman
- My two home countries are Cayman and Scotland, I do and will always have a desire and passion to help those countries. Cayman has been booming economically for years, particularly since the pandemic (they have grasped several opportunities). Unfortunately, this means that the can has been kicked down the road on several key areas that will clearly have massive negative impacts on Cayman’s future.
- For the last year and more I have had to sit and watch this inertia, yet now I see signs of change, and the optimist in me senses the possibility of brave leadership and change in the coming year.
- I am therefore turning my attention once again to Cayman and where and how I may be able to help, including seeking out conversations with leaders in all areas, again first to listen.
As I “wait for the story to come”, a key part of that is talking to people, particularly to listen for where they see opportunities within the challenges they face. I’m open to talk to anyone who senses a connection to those themes and/or the specific themes above.