'Tis the time to be grateful for all we have

blog 2019

22 Dec

It's time to wrap up 2019 and reflect on what worked, what didn't and think ahead to what next year may bring. Some of us had challenging years, others had a better experience, but I think we can all agree that most of us feel optimism at the start of a new year and in this case, a new decade. I feel 2020 is shaping up to be awesome!

One thing my mum taught me was the power of gratitude. We didn't grow up with much. There were three kids, no dad, but she did her best working part-time as a yoga teacher. The end result was we were not very financial. But we appreciated what we had. I still do. I was grateful for my mates, camping holidays, parties, girls haha all the good things. I learnt to appreciate the simple things in life and I still feel these are the most fulfilling of all gifts we could get.

So as we prepare for a Christmas with gifts, family and food. Let's count our blessings. It sure prepares you well for a new year of goals that are meaningful not just financial. Here is mine:

1) Health - People often wonder why I exercise every day, and my reply is "because I can". There are plenty of people out there who would love to be able to walk, run, swim, not be in the hospital, breathe clean air, be out of prison, not be dead. We are so so lucky in Australia to have the opportunity to get outside in green spaces and enjoy our bodies. Make it a plan to do this a few times a week in 2020. My goal is 6 days a week.

2) Family - When all else looks shite, family can be the solid base you need. Having no grandparents, or parents now. My children are my base. They are the reason I do what I do and it pushes me to be a better dad and man in 2020. My goal is to read with Spencer every night and help Hudson with his homework more consistently. It's the little things that count.

3) Business - My clients support my family. They are the essence of any business and I am working hard over the next few weeks to improve our services even more. My goal is to deliver consistent and measurable value that makes a real difference in their lives.

That's it. No plans for multi-million dollar investments, tatts wins or a new Tesla (although I could use one of those!). Perhaps I'm aiming too low, but it if I can achieve all three without losing anyone close to me, 2020 will be a great year!

To ensure we actually achieve these things, I am doing a vision board with my kids Christmas morning so we all have a vision of what we would like in 2020.

What's your plans for 2020? I'm keen to hear what others are planning and how you go about it so send me a message or share below with some of the things you are grateful for and want more of next year.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and fulfilling 2020,

Andy x

gratitude

Andrew Ford

Marketing expert Andrew Ford, the founder of Social Star, has discovered the secret of ‘Powerful Branding’. With a fire for unleashing people’s inner brand and developing business models to generate profit from an individual’s passions, Andrew leverages ground-breaking digital and social media marketing techniques to create digital strategies for clients to attract maximum opportunities. Having established a strong name for himself in the field, Andrew blends traditional business techniques with now-necessary tools for entrepreneurs to achieve scale, quality, and influence in their niche. Andrew’s comprehensive business background and qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (RMIT 2003), a Graduate Certificate in Management (MBA Executive Program, University of Sydney 2005), and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Swinburne University 2011). Continually on the cutting edge of his own education, Andrew has tested his marketing theories in forums such as the BCG Business Strategy Competition, which he won in 2005 against all Victorian MBA schools, and the Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Swinburne University 2003), which he won in the Masters category. With experience working at Hewlett-Packard, Sensis (Telstra) and IBM, Andrew also has mentored dozens of junior staffs to help them achieve their professional goals. Meeting and influencing high-profile public figures helped Andrew to realise just how many professionals require more understanding and control of their public brands or appearance, and need help with the skills to use the many amazing free tools at their disposal to generate success. At Social Star, Andrew consults with clients to uncover their personal brand – both where it is today and where it can be tomorrow – and refine and define how that should be displayed in social media in order to attract their perfect target audience. Andrew mentors his clients to rapidly grow their business’ audiences, resulting in larger potential client bases and higher revenue. Applying formulas that integrate over twenty years of Andrew’s business experience and fifteen years of formal business education, Social Star specialises in building clarity and velocity for clients’ brands using the ‘Understand, Build and Leverage’ methodology. ‘Having a Personal Business enables people to have an authentic, congruent connection with their valued clients and partners, using their brand as the bridge,’ says Andrew. ‘I’m highly driven to work with the new breed of entrepreneurs and small business owners – people who have a passion for making the world a better place. Traditional business models are stepping aside as people follow their innermost dreams and my role is to see them operate within their values while creating wealth. Some people think you have to sacrifice what you love to be successful in your business, yet it is actually the opposite. Follow your passion and success will come.’ Lecturing at Swinburne University from 2009 to 2011 on brand dynamics and digital marketing, presenting at numerous conferences, and consulting to hundreds of clients, Andrew has seen his philosophy work that if you follow your unique path, based on your skills, experience, values and goals, you will automatically attract the opportunities you desire and achieve the success you deserve. Living his mantra, Andrew has created a successful business and attracts high-profile clients including musicians, athletes, authors, models, entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners, helping them find their ‘why’ in their business and fulfilment in their lives. Business for Andrew is more than work, it’s personal. Running a personal business means that he is able to fulfil all of his values rather than separating his life from work. It supports his two boys while providing social opportunities, educational development, fitness opportunities, spiritual fulfilment and many valuable friendships. Social Star has now become the vehicle for Andrew to crystallise his mission in the world, to help people love what they do, supporting his ‘why’, that if more people loved what they did, the world would be a better place.

http://www.andrewford.com.au/

'Tis the time to be grateful for all we have

Floating into 2020 and beyond...

It's been a while...