Harbinger of 2025

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What’s a harbinger? I first learned this word in the movie, “Clerks.” Merriam-Webster defines it as…

“something that gives an anticipatory sign of what is to come”

Last week was a harbinger of 2025…

First off, I have to admit that the beginnings of both 2023 and 2024 were bleak for me. As a professional speaker, I’ve always found the first couple of weeks of the year to be slow. The last two years were painfully such.

My hope was to reverse the trend. And I couldn’t be happier. Here’s a recap:

Monday saw me driving to Atlanta for an engagement in the Goldfishmobile. I stayed at the Shane in midtown. It’s a Kimpton Hotel (a happy place for me and one of inspirations behind the Goldfish metaphor). Really enjoyed catching up with the GM Andrew Funt during their Happy Hour.

Tuesday was a morning engagement with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. I shared insights on customer-centricity from Purple Goldfish with the HR team. Huge thanks to Nadra Hunter, M.Ed. for her amazing coordination and hospitality. My workshop was followed with a nice catch-up and lunch with my SWIM (Speakers With Impact Mastermind) colleague Raven Solomon, CSP®.

Thursday was a Cary Chamber of Commerce kickoff breakfast at Prestonwood Country Club. Honored to be an Ambassador for the Chamber. The evening was an ANA workshop with Lenovo APAC. I shared insights from Silver Goldfish on Effective Communication & Presentation Skills until 1:30 a.m. Thanks to Holly King for coordinating from CES and to Aaron Parker for his support.

Friday was a Pink Goldfish showcase for NCER (North Carolina Executive Roundtable) at Prestonwood. My luncheon keynote shared insights on how to stand out and create competitive separation in the marketplace.

Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday were professional development. I was honored to be part of the 172nd edition of The Achiever’s Circle with Hall of Fame Speaker Mark LeBlanc, CSP, CPAE. Mark literally wrote the book on “Growing Your Business” when you are the business. The weekend in ONE word… transformative. I only wish I would have Mark’s revelatory insights a decade ago.

Saturday morning was a meetup for NSA Carolinas. The Second Saturday was virtual with the snow/ice. John F. Edwards, CSP, CVP ran an amazing virtual meeting. Love, love the NSA community.

Sunday finished with meeting Rich Pastor at Knights Play Golf Center to hit some golf balls and catch-up with an old and dear friend.

I recently watched Jim Valvano’s ESPY speech. One of my favorite parts is when he talks about the three things you should do everyday. Jim Valvano said you should: laugh, think, and have their emotions moved to tears. I love this. Valvano said if you could do each of those things it was a full day.

As I look back on my first full week of 2025… I shared, I connected, and I learned. And if I could do each of those things each week, that would be a fulfilling week and a harbinger of a great year.

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