I recently stumbled upon this new blog, “The Other Side of Sales“. While I’m not “in Sales”, we all promote our ideas, organizational efforts, our team mates. I like how they talk about being comfortable and struggling in the work place.
Podcast: Episode 9: Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

• Being the Outsider
• Diving In
• Trust
• Control, Luck, Reflecting
• Bouncing Back from Failure
• Faking It, or “Just continuing to show up and apply oneself”

One of the more interesting ideas of getting ready for 2020 I heard was to review 2019. Simply take one’s calendar and a note pad. Each row is a week. Then draw a line down the middle of the pad to make two columns – the first is things you liked about that week, second column for things you disliked about that week. The idea is by reviewing the past year, one gets insights to bring into 2020.

For myself, I recalled many memories catching up with friends and family. Also for the number of tech-related meetup meetings I attended. It reminded me that achieving goals makes me happiest and to bring purpose to each day.

Part of ending a year is… looking forward toward the New Year!
Here’s an informative article from Lisa Gerstner at Kiplinger.com, 11/26/2019 with tasks for each month to keep one’s finances in order by taking a step each month:
January – Map out a spending and savings plan
February – Mix of fun and drudge: plan summer vacation! File tax return
March – Pen investing constitution & drain 2019 FSA account
April – Review insurance coverage & fund IRA & HSA accounts
May – Spring clean records & prepare home for summer weather
June – Re-balance portfolio & join gym with summer discounts
July – Hire financial adviser & mid-year tax checkup
August – Pay down debt & grab back-to-school bargains
September – Start 529 for kid’s college & get home ready for winter
October – Put estate plan in order & FAFAS: Federal Studen Aid
November – Make the most of your 401k/403b – get the max employer match
December – Be charitable & shop for new car

In the late morning, the 4th and 5th graders from most of Portland were welcomed to the Newmark Theater for a production of Sugar Skull! To quote the Portland5.com, “… a joyous, heartfelt adventure that delves into the rich, tuneful traditions of Día de los Muertos. Featuring a company of gifted musicians and dancers, this colorful stage production is the perfect fall entertainment for youth and family audiences alike.”

The kids loved the show and followed closely along as they were captivated by the actors. Experiencing their enthusiasm and awe of the theater was more fun than I expected!

Michele Sullivan’s talk on, “Asking for Help is a Strength, Not a Weakness” was a bit more than I was expecting, I’m pleased to share her message:
– No one can walk in someone else’s shoes
– Need to find a new way of giving of ourselves
– All of us are more than whom we appear to be
– While there is a lot of discussion of having support systems for ourselves
– We must be a role in other’s support systems, as life silos us off separately
– Can be done using compassion, courage & understanding for ourselves & others