One of the best things about one year ending – and the next beginning – is the ability to reflect on lessons learned. Finishing up year two as Managing Partner of GHJ, I am aware there are many lessons and ways I get to prepare for year three.

As I look back on 2019, I am proud of the many accomplishments at GHJ. We have experienced one of the greatest growth years in the firm’s history – both people and financial successes – and along the way had a great deal of fun. We strengthened relationships with our clients, one another and the greater community, while working hard and continuing to reinforce our culture. I have great gratitude towards the entire team for accomplishments big and small and am excited for what 2020 has in store. So what should we do now to continue our success into 2020? A few thoughts:

Disconnect!

The world continues to evolve at a faster and faster pace, and it has become increasingly more difficult to disconnect. The integration of life and work continues to become more intertwined and inextricable. It is a blessing and a curse! Throughout the year, it is a blessing as life/work integration allows the flexibility for us all to #BeMore. But the Holiday Season is family time, so there is every reason to avoid being distracted with our phones. At GHJ we continue to give our team an extended break over the holiday season to enable them to disconnect from work – to spend time with their loved ones and recharge. We do our part to help our team disconnect, but they must do theirs!

Therefore, I challenge everyone to take a few days over the holidays and truly disconnect. Be intentional about it. Put your phones away. Spend time with your loved ones and be present. I promise you, whatever you think you are missing on your phone will still be there when you pick it back up, but your time with your loved ones is fleeting.



Create a Bucket List and Make a Plan to Start Checking Things Off

Have you ever run a marathon? Slept under the stars? Traveled to all 50 states? Do you have a bucket list? If you do, when was the last time you updated it? With the busyness of life, we often struggle to just keep up with the day to day, let alone take a moment to consider the long view on what we want to experience in life. Take the time over the New Year to create or update your bucket list and make a plan to do two special things on it in 2020. The fuller the life you can live for yourself, the greater success you will bring to your relationships and your career. It is the foundation of our #BeMore philosophy.

Take Some Down Time. You Deserve It!

2019 was a busy year for us all. Take your well-deserved break over the holidays. Rest, relax, recharge, have fun. Take some “you” time. GHJ is already poised to have a 2020 with many exciting changes. I know the best way I can lead into the next big year is to regroup a bit and kick off the new year with renewed energy and stamina. How about you? My wish for you is to start 2020 with a healthy and rested body and mind to bring your best self to the New Year. I will do the same. I cannot wait!

#BeMore

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Tom Barry

Tom Barry, CPA, believes in building a successful life one day at a time. He does that by leveraging technology to create a flexible schedule that allows him to be a father and husband in addition to fully committing to his career at GHJ, where he has worked since 1997. Tom’s role as GHJ’s Managing…Learn More