The holiday season is upon us.  Banquets are busy with holiday parties.   Last minute touches are being made to budgets and it is a final push to make the year’s numbers.  Outside of work, people rush to get gifts and family plans are being made.  Every store is mobbed.   Sensory overload syndrome is in full swing and one can’t escape loud overplayed holiday music.   December 25 has come and I am actually sick of candy canes, I don’t ever want to see another shopping mall and, quite frankly, I don’t care about Frosty the Snowman.

I must make one confession however – – about a topic that does tug at my heartstrings this time of year.  I think about people.  I reflect on the year almost past and think about all of the people with whom I have engaged.  Sometimes I smile because a memory floats in that was truly special.  Sometimes I feel a lump in my throat because I recall a moment that was difficult or sad.  A few regrets find their way into the thoughts… situations I wish I handled better or missed opportunities.  Mostly I feel pride in the people who have chosen to call Meyer Jabara their professional home.  I am honored to have invested a year with them.

There is another action that always finds a place on the December calendar.  I measure the year by asking myself, “How did I do?”.   This is a two-part question, “How did I do in my professional life?” and “How did Justin Jabara do as an individual person?”

I dig out that thing called a Performance Agreement and reflect.   I pull up those Monthly Action Plans that got me closer and closer each month to my Performance Agreement and I reflect.  I remember the struggles, summarize the learning and assess the measurements.   The overriding theme to my reflection this year has been LEARNING.  Sometimes the learning was hard for instance the month we missed house profit because of poor cost controls. Other times the learning was so easy and obvious.  In 2014 the biggest element of learning that I am going to apply is “Success is the enemy” and “I must change first”.

This is the season of reflection, adaptation, celebration and planning.   I have a question for you.  Please answer me by responding.   How did you do compared to your PA?  What did you learn?  What are you going to do differently – – – or the same in 2014 because of what you learned?  Please share.

Have a happy holiday and a healthy successful new year!